Publications
Publications
- October 2002 (Revised May 2021)
- HBS Case Collection
Group Process in the Challenger Launch Decision (A)
By: Amy C. Edmondson and Laura Feldman
Abstract
The night before the launch of the Challenger shuttle, officials from Morton Thiokol (Solid Rocket Booster manufacturer) and NASA participated in a teleconference to discuss whether to postpone the shuttle launch due to predicted low temperatures at Kennedy Space Center. This case provides background on the history of NASA's shuttle program, engineering firm Thiokol and Thiokol SRB, and O-ring expert Roger Boisjoly, who was adamant that the shuttle not be launched.
Keywords
Process Analysis; Problems and Challenges; Groups and Teams; Engineering; Risk Management; Analysis; Decision Making; Aerospace Industry; United States
Citation
Edmondson, Amy C., and Laura Feldman. "Group Process in the Challenger Launch Decision (A)." Harvard Business School Case 603-068, October 2002. (Revised May 2021.)