Thursday, September 29, 2011
In Class Case
After learning what the figures in the case really representing, the failures of O rings on the space shuttle, it leads one to question how the shuttle was ever allowed to launch. After learning in one class the proper ways to evaluate risks and decisions, we were able to come to the right judgement in the case. After the data showed no success under 65 degrees, an attempt should never have been made with the temperature around 40 degrees, especially with the risks involved. The amount of intelligence the space program had should have been able to see this data and stopped any attempts at launch.
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You would have thought with all of the data that was given some of the smartest people in the world at NASA could have figured out not to fly. But what I think it comes down to is what Dr. Goates said in class, is the mindset that people have. The example he gave of the forest fire fighters explains this. The fire that ended up killing them because they were fire fighters and could not leave their tools to run faster up the mountain. In the end I think it comes down to how people perceive who they are and what their job is.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is concerning that the space shuttle was allowed to launch when this information was known. it is also concerning that such an intelligent group of individuals were not able to foresee an event like this happening. This reaffirms the necessity of evaluating all known information in situations like this.
ReplyDeleteI agree with David. I'm sure there was a thought that ran through one of the astronauts heads that told them something may go wrong with the launch, but they had a mission to accomplish, and people relying on the data they would gather. Every launch is very risky, but they assume that risk when decide to be an astronaut. In addition to the fire fighter example, you could compare this situation to the life of police officer. Every time they get called to a criminal scene, they are putting their lives at risk, but that is part of who they are, and they know there are individuals depending on them for help, so this impending doom is irrelevant in their minds.
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