Essay About Morton-Thiokol And Technical Communication

Challenger
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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