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Tiny O-Ring Failure Caused Catastrophe
- A single 0.04-inch gap in an O-ring caused the Challenger disaster by allowing hot gas to erode the booster seal.
- The O-rings became brittle in unusually cold weather and failed under launch stresses.
Media Shaped The Tragic Image Of The Crash
- Televised footage lacked a real explosion sound, but broadcasters added one later, shaping public memory.
- The crew likely survived briefly after breakup and were unconscious from forces before impact.
Cheap Contracts Introduced Technical Risk
- Cost-minimizing procurement led NASA to pick the cheapest solid-rocket contractor despite poor scores.
- Budget-driven choices introduced known technical compromises into the program.