Allan McDonald , engineer and whistleblower in the Challenger disaster, dies at 83.
Who was responsible for Challenger disaster?
| Roger Boisjoly | Died January 6, 2012 (aged 73) Nephi, Utah, U.S. | Alma mater University of Massachusetts Lowell | Known for Attempts to prevent the Challenger disaster | Awards AAAS Award for Scientific Freedom and Responsibility (1988) |
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Did anyone get charged for the Challenger disaster?
The Rogers Commission Report was created by a Presidential Commission charged with investigating the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster during its 10th mission, STS-51-L.
Who was the blame for the Challenger explosion?
Then this ‘miracle' happened. For more than 30 years, Bob Ebeling carried the guilt of the Challenger explosion. He was an engineer and he knew the shuttle couldn't sustain the freezing temperatures.
Did they recover bodies from Challenger?
Within a day of the shuttle tragedy, salvage operations recovered hundreds of pounds of metal from the Challenger. In March 1986, the remains of the astronauts were found in the debris of the crew cabin.
Did the Challenger families sue NASA?
After the 1986 Challenger disaster, four families of the seven astronauts killed reached out-of-court settlements with the Justice Department for a total of $7.7 million. ... The wife of Challenger pilot Michael Smith sued NASA in 1987 .
How long did the Challenger crew survive?
The seven crew members of the space shuttle Challenger probably remained conscious for at least 10 seconds after the disastrous Jan. 28 explosion and they switched on at least three emergency breathing packs, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration said Monday.
Did the Challenger crew families get their settlement?
Families of four of the seven crew members killed in the Challenger explosion have settled with the government for total damages exceeding $750,000 for each family, with 60% of the sum to be provided by Morton Thiokol Inc., maker of the solid rocket boosters on the space shuttle, an Administration source said Monday.
What condition were the remains of the Challenger crew?
Challenger came apart — but the crew cabin remained essentially intact , able to sustain its occupants. The explosive force sheared metal assemblies, but was almost precisely the force needed to separate the still-intact crew compartment from the expanding cloud of flaming debris and smoke.
How much did the Challenger families get paid?
These four spouses and six children shared in cash and annuities that cost $7,735,000 . The government paid 40 percent; Thiokol, 60 percent. They had relied on informal advice from the law partner of McAuliffe's husband, Steven, and they talked only with the government, never directly with the company.
Why did the O-ring fail?
The most common causes of O-Ring failures include: Improper gland design , allowing for too much or too little compression, not enough for seal expansion and tolerance stack-up. Incorrect O-Ring size. Incompatibility of O-Ring elastomer and environmental elements.
How did the Challenger change NASA?
28, 1986, the space shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after liftoff, killing the seven crewmembers and changing NASA's space program forever . ... Challenger hosted the first spacewalk of the space shuttle program on April 7, 1983, and carried the first American female and first black astronauts.
What size was the O-ring that failed on the Challenger?
The joint is sealed by two rubber O-rings, with a diameter of 0.280 inches (+ 0.005, -0.003) . The sealing is used to stop the gases from inside the SRB escaping. The seal had failed, because the flame seen during the flight was gas being burnt.
What were the last words of the Challenger crew?
The shuttle broke apart in a fiery explosion just 73 seconds after liftoff. All seven crew members were killed, including teacher Christina McAuliffe whose students were watching on television. In a transcript from the crew's voice recorder, pilot Michael J. Smith's last words are “uh-oh” before all data is lost.
Has anyone been lost in space?
A total of 18 people have lost their lives either while in space or in preparation for a space mission, in four separate incidents. All seven crew members died, including Christa McAuliffe, a teacher from New Hampshire selected on a special NASA programme to bring civilians into space. ...
