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  • October 2002 (Revised May 2021)
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Group Process in the Challenger Launch Decision (A)

By: Amy C. Edmondson and Laura Feldman
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:15
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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.)
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About The Author

Amy C. Edmondson

Technology and Operations Management
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Related Work

    • October 2002 (Revised May 2021)
    • Faculty Research

    Group Process in the Challenger Launch Decision (A)

    By: Amy C. Edmondson and Laura Feldman
Related Work
  • Group Process in the Challenger Launch Decision (A) By: Amy C. Edmondson and Laura Feldman
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