THE CHALLENGER LAUNCH DECISION Risky Technology, Culture, and Deviance at NASA

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THE CHALLENGER LAUNCH DECISIONRisky Technology,
Culture, and Deviance at NASA
By Kelley Wolff
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Introduction

• Define Bureau pathology
• Discuss the organizational structure of the
  launch decision process (Washington, D.C. to
  Morton-Thiokol)
• Summarize the structural failures of the
  pre-launch findings (weather factors what they
  found)
• Review the developments leading to Structural
  Failure

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What is Bureau Pathology?

• Bureau pathology is the study of the primary
  structure or processes of an organization and the
  pathologies to which organizations are prone.

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Decision Makers Involved in The Challenger Launch

• Space Flight, NASA National Aeronautics and
  Space Administration Headquarters (Washington,
  D.C.)
• Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX)
• Marshalls Space Center (Huntsville, AL)
• Morton Thiokol (Utah)

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Organizational Structure Four Tier Level of the
Decision-making Process
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Space Flight NASA Headquarters

• Based in Washington, D.C
• NASA- established in 1958 - government agency
  responsible for the flights
• Manages space flight centers, research centers,
  systems constituting NASA
• Supervises the establishment of policies, and
  performance criteria

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Johnson Space Center

• Based in Houston, TX
• Arnold Aldrich, Program Manager (Level II)
• Accountable for the development, production and
  testing of spacecraft

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Marshall Space Flight Center

• Based in Hunstville, Alabama
• Opened in 1960, made responsible for the
  propulsion system
• Responsible for the technical breakthroughs
  behind the success of Apollo.
• Marshalls on the 3rd tier in regards to the
  Challenger Launch Decision
• Participated in both teleconference calls that
  took place the day before the Challenger launch.
• Many of Marshalls supervisors were not available
  for the second conference call that took place at
  815p.m. EST

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Morton Thiokol

• Acquired a 800 million contract with NASA to
  manufacture the SRBs decision to select this
  company was cost
• Contractor is responsible for the Solid Rocket
  Motors (SRMs) found on the SRBs of the
  Challengers
• Morton-Thiokol's Website

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Morton - Thiokol Organizational Structure
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Structural Failure of Pre -Launch Findings
Temperature Concerns

• At HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA
• At 100p.m. January 27, 1986 Larry Wear SRM
  initiates initiates the first concern of the
  predicted low temperature factor
• Thiokol is advised to have their engineers review
  low temperature effects
• Thiokol engineers gather, discuss, and
• conclude that low temperature could
• affect o-ring procedure of sealing

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Structural Failure of Pre -Launch Findings
Temperature Concerns

• At CAPE CANAVERAL, FL
• Contractors (Marshall Space Launch Center) of
  Main Engine, SRBs and External Tank agreed there
  was no SRB constraints for the launch at 938am.
  
• Marshall strongly believed that low temperature
  was not a reason for a SRB delay
• Engineers for Thiokol did not express any concern
  for low temperature
• Marshall manager (L.Wear) initiates a second
  concern when he recalls Thiokols concern on low
  temperature during the January 1985 launch.

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Structural Failure of Pre - Launch Findings
Temperature Concerns contd

• Thiokol SRB managers do not recall any concerns
  during the January 1985 STS-51-C launch
• After denying January 1985 concerns, Thiokol
  calls for a meeting to discuss the blow-by
  effects on the January 1985 launch.
• Thiokol concludes the possibility of it could
  happening again
• Thiokols O-ring Task Force meet conclude that
  O-rings were not flexible to low temperature
  weather
• The predicted weather for Jan. 28th launch was 26

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Structural Failure of Pre - Launch Findings
Temperature Concerns contd

• At 545 p.m. EST, the first teleconference call
  took place - managers and engineers of Thiokol,
  Marshall and Kennedy Space Center
• During a 45 minute teleconference call, Thiokol
  recommended the launch be delayed for 12 noon or
  later
• At 815 p.m. EST, a second teleconference call
  was placed
• Purpose
• To discuss delaying the launch
• due to weather conditions
• To give ample time for Thiokol
• to fax their data to Kennedy
• Marshall Space Centers

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Structural Failure of Pre -Launch Findings
Temperature Concerns contd

• At 815p.m. EST second teleconference call began
• Thiokol argued o-rings ability to seal the
  booster joints at time of ignition would be
  slower due to the predicted temperature.
• Demonstrated several hand written charts to
  explain the effect of low temperatures
• Blow-bys occurred at 75 degrees
• weather Marshall excluded
• temperature as a factor

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Structural Failure of Pre -Launch Findings
Temperature Concerns contd

• Marshall confronted Thiokol for a management
  recommendation
• Kilminster (VP of Thiokol) recommended to delay
  that launch
• Marshall immediately challenged data on charts
• Robert Lund then made a management decision (due
  to performance pressure
• State of the Union Address
• first teacher in space)

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Structural Failure of Pre -Launch Findings
Temperature Concerns contd

• Thiokol engineers could not assess the link
  between cool temperatures o-ring damage on
  previous flights
• Thiokol did not effectively present the relevant
  data to show high risk
• Teleconference Call ended at 1115p.m. EST
• Launch was scheduled for 930a.m. EST

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Positioning of O-Rings
Correct positioning of O-Rings
incorrect positioning of O-Rings
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Diagrams Created by Thiokol Engineers
Previous Launch
Focused only on 2 launches
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Four Reasons for Launch Disaster

• Presentation was lousy
• Engineers were out numbered
• Engineers were out shouted
• Engineers were subordinates

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History of O-Ring Temperatures Diagrams Created
by Thiokol Engineers
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History of O-Ring Conditions on Previous Launches
By Edward Tufte, Yale University, Evidence
Info. Design
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Statistics on Previous Launches

• Above 65
• 20 launches 3 had erosion problems
• Below 65
• 4 launches 4 had erosion problems

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Footage of the Actual Challenger Launch

• The Challenger Launch
• The LAUNCH