Nasa - Challenger Launch

How would you characterize the broader context surrounding the January 1986 teleconference?

• Engineers at Thiokol were sceptical about the launch of Challenger Space Shuttle at low temperatures; 20F
• Conditions were not ideal for O-ring sealing component; could lead to erosion and blow-by
• Flight-15 launched at 53F observed erosion
• Biosjoly sent a memo to Bob Lund regarding in-efficiency of task forced formed regarding investigation of matter
• Teleconference called over the security risk

• Thiokol provided information to NASA about safety risk
• NASA delayed launch from July 1985 to January 1986.
• NASA under economic, political and scheduling backlog pressure
• Teleconference called over increasing safety risk between NASA and Thiokol

What were the organizations in which they worked like?

• Middle management did not inform the senior managers of the teleconference with the Thiokol, and potential problems with the O-ring – internal communication failure
• NASA had developed a formal ‘waiver’ procedure – a procedure that allowed NASA personnel to ignore normal rules and procedures, when they needed to
• NASA budget constraints
• Thiokol did not provide sufficient concrete evidence
• Individual vs Group decision by Biosjoly when he sent a memo Bob Lund
• NASA reviewed the O-rings case by case rather than complete testing

What was the group against?

• Communication breakdown between NASA and Thiokol
• Thiokol side not prepared with concrete evidence
• Internal communication failure within Thiokol
• Lack of ownership for rectification of the critical issue relation to O-rings
• Group pressure and lack of confidence in Thiokol over Biosjoly’s concerns
• Ethics of NASA
• NASA wanted success at any cost

What impact might that have on the group’s decision-making process?

• Flawed group decision making progress
• Thiokol did not provide strong evidence required to ground the launch
• No support for Roger Boisjoly from within Thiokol when he erased concern over risk of O-rings
• NASA under political and economic pressure to go ahead with launch
• NASA wanted successful mission; did not focus on safety aspects
• Thiokol under group pressure to surrender to NASA as they did not have substantial evidence against O-rings

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