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If I remember, the shuttle had been delayed ten times and the decision to go was based on a lot of external pressure on NASA.

If the shuttle was delayed that day, it would have had to be scrubbed for a month.

I remember seeing a headline in our daily newspaper that morning......WHEN WILL THAT TURKEY FLY.

Unfortunately, outside pressure leads to all kinds of errors in decision making. Small and large.

May all those who lost family members that day, find some peace.

Roger spoke with such eloquence.

He went through step by step of the process.

He is a lesson in engineering ethics.

I carry his words to this day.

As engineers, every day citizens depend on our calculations.

We have to be right.

It must be safe.

There must be a factor of safety built in to avoid both wear and tear along with human error. All of this is balanced with cost. But costs should never superceed safety.

The Obligation of an Engineer

I am an Engineer, in my profession I take deep pride. To it I owe solemn obligations. Since the Stone Age, human progress has been spurred by the engineering genius. Engineers have made usable Nature’s vast resources of material and energy for Humanity's [Mankind’s] benefit. Engineers have vitalized and turned to practical use the principles of science and the means of technology. Were it not for this heritage of accumulated experience, my efforts would be feeble.

As an Engineer, I pledge to practice integrity and fair dealing, tolerance and respect, and to uphold devotion to the standards and the dignity of my profession, conscious always that my skill carries with it the obligation to serve humanity by making the best use of Earth’s precious wealth.

As an Engineer[, in humility and with the need for Divine guidance,] I shall participate in none but honest enterprises. When needed, my skill and knowledge shall be given without reservation for the public good. In the performance of duty and in fidelity to my profession, I shall give the utmost.

I couldnt believe it when a local news gal said this evening that it's "20 years since Challenger never arrived on the Moon." Argh. No wonder so many people are ill informed about space and other issues. I will have to email her and the news director to inform them the shuttle never went to the moon and is not capable of doing so! You'd think news professionals would know this. Unreal.

Over on National Geo. channel they did a show called 'Challenger: the untold story.' I did not watch it all but from what I saw of it, there was nothing new to report. It was not exactly "untold" info.