Space Shuttle Challenger Accident Essay

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Cause(s) of Accident The listed cause of the accident in the Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident (Presidential commision on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident, 1986) as a failure of a joint in the right hand SRB (solid rocket booster) lower two sections. Specifically the O-Ring obliteration caused by hot gasses escaping from the joint. During the investigation focus was drawn to the assembly of the right hand SRB and possible damage from the handling and installation and it was further determined that the joint design was faulty and not damaged from the stacking process. Thiokol nor NASA accurately understood (even though discussed) the potential dangers due to the joint design. Despite the fact Thiokol acted prudently in notifying NASA of the warning signs, …show more content…

The main focus is the material and mechanical factors are in relation to temperature and the expansion and contraction properties. NASA stated that it is believed that the shuttle crew compartment remained relatively intact, until contact with the water, so the original break up was reportedly due to aerodynamic forces immediately following the explosion of the external tank and not something that could be tested for during design and certification phase. Contributing Factors The main contributing factor in the demise of STS 51-L were human factors and poor decision making on the part of Morton Thiokol and NASA management. I’ll touch on some of the more noted points that contributed to the launch mishap. To start, the NASA seemed to have a major push to demonstrate that its existence was justifiable and to validate that having a reusable spacecraft was in the best interest of the public. Secondly, during the launch of STS 51-L some of the highest known wind shear occurred for any of the preceding shuttle launches to date causing an increase in SRB flex which may have contributed to the joint

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