![]() ![]() In 1986, Challenger was destroyed in an accident shortly after its 10th launch. Challenger, Discovery, and Atlantis followed in 1983, 1984, and 1985 respectively. The remaining orbiters were fully operational spacecraft, and were launched vertically as part of the Space Shuttle stack.Ĭolumbia was the first space-worthy orbiter it made its inaugural flight in 1981. Enterprise was partially disassembled and retired after completion of critical testing. An unpowered glider, it was carried by a modified Boeing 747 airliner called the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft and released for a series of atmospheric test flights and landings. The first orbiter, Enterprise, made its maiden flight in 1977. All were built in Palmdale, California, by the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based Rockwell International company. Six orbiters were built for flight: Enterprise, Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour. space agency, this vehicle could carry astronauts and payloads into low Earth orbit, perform in-space operations, then re-enter the atmosphere and land as a glider, returning its crew and any on-board payload to the Earth. ![]() Operated from 1977 to 2011 by NASA, the U.S. The Space Shuttle orbiter is the spaceplane component of the Space Shuttle, a partially reusable orbital spacecraft system that was part of the discontinued Space Shuttle program. ![]() When important issues arise, it’s not just simply what you say, but how you say it, that can make people listen.Discovery approaches the International Space Station (ISS) on STS-121 "That's the way freedom is, and we wouldn't change it for a minute.” Subsequent investigations would prove the engineers correct, but on the day before the launch, no one seemed to be listening to one another. “I've always had great faith in and respect for our space program, and what happened today does nothing to diminish it, do it all up front and in public," said Reagan. In the film, we see a snippet of President Ronald Reagan’s speech to the nation on the evening of the disaster. If I have my agenda, and you have your agenda-and both of us believe in it passionately-the mission becomes obscured and trouble arises. When people are convinced that they are right, they often become less persuasive because their conviction overrides their ability to persuade as well as recognize another point of view. None of this is “rocket science” but, as depicted dramatically in this film, we see how easy it becomes to talk past one another. Passion directed at the opposition stokes emotional response and thereby makes resistance to an alternate point of view easier to maintain. Research shows that too much zeal in an argument can be harmful. Seek to understand, before you are understood, as the saying goes. And for that reason, it is important to listen. That is, we hear what we want to hear and disregard the rest. For those whom you cannot see, keep them engaged by asking open-ended questions, when possible.Īllow for intelligent discussion. Failure to make eye contact may indicate disinterest. Just because people are there (or linked remotely) does not mean they are “present.” When you make your case, check for facial expressions. Do it selectively and let backup materials carry the freight of your information. Use them to make your case and back your opinions with data. Facts should be the basis of rational decision making. He is prone to making speeches rather than engage in give-and-take discussions. As portrayed in the film, he comes across as well-intentioned, but something of a zealot. Management was listening, but engineers, chiefly Adam, did not seem to have the ability to make their case. The compelling part of the film for me is its focus on dysfunctional communications. And so, Challenger lifted off only to disintegrate moments after takeoff. Ultimately the engineers were unable to persuade their management to recommend against the launch. No one could read facial expressions or body language. In the pre-Internet era, and without the use of teleconference, the engineers, based in Utah, spoke via phone to NASA teams in Huntsville, Alabama and Cape Canaveral. Additionally, there was the issue of collocation. What is compelling about the story, which is told in flashbacks, is that Adam and others at Thiokol (referred to in the film only as “the Company”) sought to dissuade NASA from launching. NASA, ever mindful of positive PR, was itching to maximize this launch. Compounding the pressure was the presence of Christa McAuliffe a high school teacher who was planning to conduct school lessons from space. NASA was seeking to launch as many as 25 SSTs that year but was behind schedule. ![]()
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