Case Study Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster

The crew compartment and many other vehicle fragments were eventually recovered from the ocean floor after a lengthy search and recovery operation. Although the exact timing of the death of the crew is unknown, several crew members are known to have survived the initial breakup of the spacecraft. However, the shuttle had no escape system and the astronauts did not survive the impact of the crew compartment with the ocean surface. 

The disaster resulted in the formation of the Rogers Commission, a special commission appointed by United States President Ronald 

After investigation it was found out that the hollow shaft was contaminated with NPK-type fertilizer through the hole at the worn spot. The nitrate-containing fertilizer had been ignited by the heat from the welding. A self-sustained decomposition started after closing the hole and the shaft burst. 

Reference Number of this Report 01-114 (REPORTED BY THE MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS ASSOCIATION) 

There was no damage to the facility or delivery systems. Members of the reentry party suffered minor frost-bite of their feet when their shoes became frozen to the water-wetted rear deck of the truck. The freezing of the shoes was caused by the extremely cold slush in which the men were standing. Operating personnel took action to control promptly all possible sources of ignition in the surrounding area, including shutdown of part of the plant. Water hoses, which 

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