Comparing Columbia and Challenger

The Challenger space shuttle launched on its tenth and final mission on January 28, 1986 over the objections of engineers who felt that it was too cold to launch the shuttle safely. Engineers were concerned about the freezing temperatures at the launch pad and recommended to not launch. But managers at the Marshall Spaceflight Center overruled the engineers and ordered that the launch proceed. The 51-L mission ended abruptly 73 seconds later when the overstressed solid rocket booster broke free, slamming into the External Tank and causing the vehicle to rip apart. The seven person crew consisted of commander Dick Scobee, pilot Mike Smith, mission specialists Ellison Onizuka, Judy Resnik, and Ron McNair, payload specialist Greg Jarvis, and teacher in space Christa McAuliffe.

With 20/20 hindsight both the Challenger and Columbia accidents could have been avoided, and simple high school physics knowledge was all that was needed to recognize the reason. But hindsight is 20/20 because it is hindsight.

Astronaut Sally Ride was the only person to serve on the accident investigation boards for both the Challenger and Columbia accidents. She told author Philip Chien about the differences between the two accidents. Dr. Sally Ride's remarks.

The CAIB report notes the pressures to keep the shuttle flying - in 1986 so it could become more profitable, in 2003 to keep the space station's construction on schedule. But in the case of the Challenger accident there was far more pressure. Even with the schedule pressure to build the space station NASA had grounded the shuttle fleet for several months in 2002.

In the case of Challenger the last point where the accident could have been avoided was at the Launch Readiness Review where emotions are high and personnel are anxious about launch - "launch fever" as it's called. In contrast the last point where the Columbia accident could have been avoided was a mission and three months earlier at a normal preflight management review.

One key similarity - the Solid Rocket Boosters which caused the Challenger accident and the External Tank which caused the Columbia accident were both the responsibility of NASA's Marshall Spaceflight Center in Huntsville Alabama.

Back to Investigation

Home

copyright 2005 Philip Chien All Rights Reserved