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Collection Overview
 
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Description
This collection consists of a number of videotapes, objects, and some original and photocopied textual materials collected by Dr. Mark Maier that deal with the NASA Space Shuttle Challenger disaster and its aftermath.
Background
The NASA Space Shuttle Challenger disaster occurred on January 28, 1986 when the spacecraft broke apart 73 seconds into its flight, leading to the deaths of its seven crew members. Disintegration of the entire vehicle began after an O-ring seal in its right solid rocket booster failed at liftoff. The disaster resulted in the formation of the "Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident," also known as the Rogers Commission. This was a special commission appointed by United States President Ronald Reagan to investigate the accident. The Rogers Commission found that NASA's organizational culture and decision-making processes had been a key contributing factor to the accident. NASA managers had known that contractor Morton Thiokol, Inc.'s (MTI) design of the solid rocket boosters contained a potentially catastrophic flaw in the O-rings, but they failed to address it properly. They also disregarded warnings from engineers about the dangers of launching posed by the low temperatures of that morning.
Extent
6.5 Linear Feet (5 cartons, 1 document box, 1 flat box)
Restrictions
There are no restrictions on the use of this material except where previously copyrighted material is concerned. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain all permissions.
Availability
This collection is open for research.