Copy of Space Shuttle Questions
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University of Florida *
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Course
2020C
Subject
Industrial Engineering
Date
Feb 20, 2024
Type
Pages
2
Uploaded by CaptainChinchillaMaster1057
Name: Mia DeSouza
Favorite Song: Beige by Yoke Lore
Case Study: The Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster
(type answers in 2 or 3 complete sentences and save as PDF for online submission)
1.
Imagine yourself in the pre-launch teleconference meeting the night before the scheduled Challenger launch in 1986.
Considering the political and budgetary pressures of the time, how would you have acted when called to give your opinion on
the state of launch?
If my decision meant the difference between life or death, wasting millions of dollars and wasting the time spent building or preparing
the astronauts and shuttle for launch, I would have spoken up. This decision could have resulted in me being fired or kicked off of the
project, but I would stand by my opinion and urge others to put the safety and lives of other people in mind over good press and
managerial thinking. The political and budget pressures should not cloud people’s judgment on whether or not a launch is safe and
appropriate for the date planned.
2.
How does the role of design engineers and managers vary in an engineering firm? What considerations must be taken as an
engineer when communicating effectively with managers, and vice-versa?
Design engineers typically focus on creating technical solutions and developing detailed plans, while managers oversee the overall
project, ensuring it aligns with business goals, managing resources, and facilitating communication among team members. Managers
also handle project timelines and budgets, while design engineers concentrate on the technical aspects of the project. Engineers must
consider telling managers all apprehensiveness, concerns, issues and opinions because the managers are the ones that typically
communicate with the clients.
3.
Did engineers act irresponsibly with the lives of the Challenger crew? Was the principle of
informed consent
violated by
NASA engineers or subcontractors?
Yes, NASA acted irresponsibly with the lives of the Challenger crew which is unacceptable in my opinion.The principle of informed
consent was violated because crew members did not have enough information to decide whether or not to launch. One of the key
features of informed consent is having enough if not all of the appropriate information to form a decision.
4.
What lessons for the future can be learned, both as a society, and in your own career from the Space Shuttle Challenger
disaster?
One lesson to be learned is the importance of providing every piece of information you have about an issue to the crew, clients, and
managers you work with. Also, it is important to voice your opinion with authority and to not be afraid to say what you believe is
correct despite pressures from authority or other constraints met in your projects. It should be learned that the mistakes made are
avoidable and that decisions involving other lives should not be made in a rush.
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