NASA AND THE SPACE SHUTTLE BOOSTER DISASTERPresentation ByMichael LombardiEric BidwellCharles GoldbergMelih KomuscuMichael Kleinman

CHALLENGER SPACE SHUTTLE

The Launch was highly publicized. The Launch was delayed several times. NASA conducted nationwide search for a teacher to send on a

flight. Broadcasted on national television.

MORTON THIOKOL Aerospace company which manufactured the solid rocket

boosters for NASA’s Challenger Thiokol specified in their contract with NASA that the operating

temperature range for the boosters was 40-90 degrees Fahrenheit

On the day of the launch temperatures were approximately 30 degrees Fahrenheit and Thiokol Management recommended to launch

WHAT WAS KNOWN VS COMMUNICATED?WHAT

Failed testing in Feb 1985 was discovered and presented internally by Boisjoly

In July 1985, Boisjoly wrote a memo to the VP of Engineering Bob Lund clearly expressing his concerns of o-ring failures and potential disaster

Allan McDonald Roger Boisjoly

Thiokol Engineers Thiokol Management

January 27, 1986,The night before the launch Boisjoly and a team of Thiokol engineers organized a conf. call with Thiokol upper management and NASA program management to voice concerns of O-rings failing under cold temperatures

Bob Lund, Edward DorseyCalvin Wiggins, Gerald Mason

Several Parties acted unethically when faced with dilemmas that day Thiokol Managers:

The Jennings National Enquirer Test: “Make up the worst possible heading you can think of and then re-evaluate your decision”

Ethical Egoism: The manager’s were acting in their own self interest to maintain a business relationship.

THE UNETHICAL TRUTH

The “Do no harm test” A failure of the booster rockets could lead to catastrophic loss of

life. Inaction or inadequate action could lead to serious harm. Boisjoly and McDonald were both opposed to the launch,

however could either have done more? Get support from colleagues McDonald was Boisjoly’s only supporter on launch day and wasn’t

enough to persuade Thiokol managers to scrap the mission. Continuously voice opinions with conviction Boisjoly identified the problem months before, however he took

inadequate steps to announce it. Become a whistleblower

ENGINEER’S ETHICAL TESTS & DILEMMAS

THE AFTERMATH

Government investigation ordered by President Reagan Boisjoly and McDonald testify to the panel their opposition to the launch and are demoted by

Morton Thiokol Morton Thiokol CEO claimed company never agreed to launch in the cold temperature the day of

launch NASA tried to cover up the information regarding temperature and the O-rings Thiokol and NASA kept their contract through 1999 and no employee was fired as a result of the

accident Government Accountability Project established

Provides staff, legal assistance and pamphlets to help whistle blowers working on government projects

WHO DO YOU THINK IS MOST ETHICALLY AT FAULT?