Challenger

Christopher Southerlin

TS5004

08/05/2007

Assignment 1: The Challenger Disaster

The Challenger disaster is an example of what can happen when breakdown

occurs in technical communication. It is likely in every career field there needs to be a

method between technical and non-technical individuals to understand the technical

information. With the Challenger disaster there is a breakdown in technical

communication in three distinct areas: within Morton-Thiokol, between Morton-Thiokol

and NASA, and within NASA.

Within Morton-Thiokol engineers were unable to present their information

convincingly to their managers. The engineers knew the O-rings were defective parts for

several years and the problem they cause becomes more evident in colder temperatures.

Several engineers vigorously continued to oppose the launch. With the help of visual aids

the engineers failed to convince management of their position. The space shuttle made

several previous launches.

Communication between Morton-Thiokol and NASA is problematic. Morton-

Thiokol is in charge of representing multiple contractors that build the space shuttle.

Their role in this relationship with NASA is they are the producer and have a consistent

seller attitude urging the project’s completion. In order for the project to be halted the

problematic O-rings will have to be proven that they will prevent a successful launch.

Morton-Thiokol isn’t the only organization with communication problems NASA also

has its share of communication problems.

NASA knew about the problematic temperature sensitive O-rings but listed them

as a nominal issue because there is both a primary and secondary O-rings and this left

them in a false sense of security. Middle management did not want to pass too much

information to upper management but on this instance with the drastic