1. Roger Boisjoly and the Challenger Disaster
Ethical lacking at NASA
Jeremy Neill
March 2, 2000

2. Outline Background of Challenger Background of Roger Boisjoly
Events from 1977 – 1/28/86
Different ethical choices
Events after the disaster

3. History of Challenger Second shuttle built Designed for testing only
Later converted for actual missions
Nine successful launches
First (and last) mission in Teacher In Space Program

4. Roger Boisjoly 25+ years of experience before Challenger
Joined Morton Thiokol’s Solid Rocket Booster program in 1985
Assigned as a Technical Troubleshooter
Member of various engineering and ethics societies

5. First signs of trouble
1977: Morton Thiokol first discovers joint rotation problem
Nov 1981: O-ring erosion discovered after second shuttle launch
Jan 1985: Worst case of O-ring erosion yet, on coldest launch yet

6. Boisjoly’s role Analyzed O-ring erosion on Jan 1985 flight
Presented findings to superiors and Marshall Space Flight Center
Presented findings to Flight Readiness Review Board for subsequent flight
Originally indicated erosion and blow by caused by low temperatures, but NASA asked for a softened position for Board

7. Additional concerns
Analysis of April 1985 flight shows primary O-ring never sealed
Additional tests indicate a launch of 50 degrees or lower could result in failure
NASA asks Morton-Thiokol for booster seal problem presentation
Boisjoly presents similar info to SAE to get help. NASA orders it tuned down

8. Pre-flight Teleconference
Meeting with KSC/MSFC on Jan 27
Engineering team indicates launches below 53 degrees may have O-ring failure. “Prove it.”
Managers ask for offline discussion. “Take off your engineering hat.” Decide to launch anyway, temp predicted 18, actually hit 8
NASA asks for further comments. Engineers stay silent

9. Day of launch Right O-ring at 28 degrees, ice on shuttle
Puffs of smoke at launch pad
Good luck: Blow-by causes oxidation glaze to fill gaps in O-ring seal
Bad luck: Worst wind sheer hits shuttle. Flex breaks glaze apart
Flames escape SRB and hit External Tank

10. Ethical Implications Supervisors clearly ignored problems
NASA downplayed problem 9 years
Could Boisjoly have done more?
Spoken up at end of teleconference?
Separately notified upper NASA management?
Leaked issue to press?
Still has to keep his job.

11. Events since launch O-ring design revised
Launch decision now made by astronaut
Boisjoly won Prize for Scientific Freedom and Responsibility from AAAS
Teachers In Space Program canceled

12. Sources of more information

13. Summary NASA knew about O-ring issue
Boisjoly repeatedly urged the issue
Management ignored the advice of professional engineers
Space program set back several years
Some good changes at NASA resulted