American Scandal Challenger Disaster | Acceptable Risk | 2
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Dec 24, 2024 Tensions rise as engineers at Morton Thiokol voice concerns over the safety of O-rings crucial for shuttle launches. Amid the pressure to launch the Teacher in Space program, Krista McAuliffe becomes a beloved symbol of hope. Safety versus ambition creates a gripping backdrop, highlighting the personal stakes of the Challenger mission. As launch day approaches, critical warnings about potential failures clash with operational demands, setting the stage for a devastating catastrophe.
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O-Ring Concerns Dismissed
- In November 1982, NASA project manager Larry Malloy visited Thiokol to discuss O-ring burn damage on rocket boosters.
- Thiokol reassured Malloy, citing the low probability of both O-rings failing, satisfying him despite the potential risk.
Explosion at Thiokol Plant
- Al McDonald, a Thiokol engineer, was en route to a meeting with NASA when news broke of an explosion at Thiokol's plant.
- Despite the incident, they proceeded with the meeting, raising concerns about Thiokol's safety practices and impacting future launches.
Acceptable Risk and Teacher in Space
- Despite ongoing safety issues and waning public interest, NASA continued shuttle launches, deeming the O-ring concerns an acceptable risk.
- To revive public excitement, they proposed sending a civilian, specifically a teacher, into space.
