StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Columbia Space Shuttle - Case Study Example

Cite this document
Summary
The essay "Columbia Space Shuttle" focuses on millions of observers were taken aback by the explosion of Columbia Space Shuttle as it approached the earth’s environment. The disaster is found to be caused by a busted section of tubing containing padding suds at the outer side of the tank.  …
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER97.3% of users find it useful
Columbia Space Shuttle
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Columbia Space Shuttle"

Columbia Space Shuttle Introduction In 2003 of February 1, millions of observers were taken aback by the explosion of Columbia Space Shuttle as it approached the earth’s environment. The disaster was found to be caused by a busted section of tubing containing padding suds at the outer side of the tank. The resulting broken piece smashed a portion of the left wing. The impact damaged the thermal protection system of the entire spaceship. This thermal system supposedly protects the spaceship from the earth’s atmospheric heat.

In its flaw, the whole spaceship went into pieces and the tragedy cost the lives of all seven crews (Roberto, Bohner, and Edmondson, 2006). Even without physical examination, a break on the tubing means an inappropriate strength of materials used, as it was not able to withstand the pressure. One could quickly suggest poor estimation, poor quality of materials, and the aircraft mechanics were not really proficient or experts, or simply that the material engineers and management were simply experimenting on strength of materials having taken the risk.

In the first place, before the materials were used it should have been accurately tried and tested to efficiently serve the function from launch time to the time when the spacecraft could have safely landed back on its pad on earth Body Definitely, the tragedy of Columbia Space Shuttle in 2003 was a learning lesson for the National Aeronautics Space Administration. But, it could have been prevented. Obviously, minor problems should be given the highest attention for resolution. This means that considering the extreme risk of a space travel by a space craft, no single edge of flaw should be tolerated.

In other words, there should be a zero flaw on space shuttle structure and function. Moreover, a spacecraft should not have been attempted launched even for a single or minor imperfection. A completed checklist on parts and function should have been confirmed and reconfirmed by the experts to get a 101% assurance of perfection before set off. There should be ‘no rock left unturned’. Otherwise, there should be no room or space for ambiguity because everything can be calculated closest to precision considering previous projects of similar nature and the perspectives gained by the organizational manpower.

In reality, the tragedy should not have happened (Roberto et al, 2006). Gross negligence is a real management problem and not simple ambiguity. This is because this is a scientific undertaking which follows protocol scientific pattern of doing things. Extensive laboratory test are usually conducted on all materials prior to its employment. Thus, ambiguity can not be taken as a justification for the tragedy. Though some experts may suppose probable defects on human ability to recognize some extents of risk (Roberto et al, 2006), scientific undertakings like materials for spacecrafts capability to withstand the forces of nature are common engineering prowess.

Otherwise, the crew must have been aware of the risk knowing that their mechanics were not perfect and that materials were not perfected accordingly.Conclusion The Columbia space shuttle mishap was the result of gross negligence on scientific pattern protocols. Ambiguities should not have been tolerated considering the extent of laboratory test on materials before its use, and management should have been firm and thorough considering the scientific nature of the project.ReferenceRoberto, Michael A.

, Richard M.J., Bohner, and Amy C. Edmondson. 2006. Facing Ambiguous Treats. Harvard Business Review. HBR.ORG

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Columbia Space Shuttle Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words”, n.d.)
Columbia Space Shuttle Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1510775-columbia-space-shuttle
(Columbia Space Shuttle Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words)
Columbia Space Shuttle Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1510775-columbia-space-shuttle.
“Columbia Space Shuttle Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1510775-columbia-space-shuttle.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Columbia Space Shuttle

The Loss of Shuttle Columbia

The Loss of the Shuttle Columbia: An Ethical Case Study The 28th flight of the Columbia forming the 113th mission of the space shuttle Program ended in loss of the mission and a tragic loss of the crew.... BACKGROUND Engineering Failures: As a prelude, the space shuttle Program launched the Columbia in January 28, 1986; a launch had never been undertaken at such cold temperatures.... Name Professor Module Date Abstract The loss of the shuttle Columbia and its crew members is one of the highlights and turning points of the history of NASA....
9 Pages (2250 words) Essay

The Challenger and Columbia Shuttle Disasters

The Challenger and Columbia Shuttle Disasters Name Institution The Challenger and Columbia Shuttle Disasters The space shuttle Challenger disaster took place in 1986 where the Challenger exploded leading to the death of all the seven members of the crew a few minutes after takeoff.... NASA also changed its space shuttle management organization and its relations with its field centers and the headquarters.... hellip; The disaster was a big blow to all stakeholders that included the space center control, the spacecraft Communicator, and NASA....
3 Pages (750 words) Research Paper

The Last Flight of Space Shuttle Challenger

The Last Flight of space shuttle Challenger Order No.... 829508 In his report on ‘The Last Flight of space shuttle Challenger', Michael T.... Charles highlights and pinpoints the reasons involved in the disaster of the space shuttle Challenger and investigates what was the actual cause for the disaster and those who were responsible for the massive tragedy.... hellip; The space shuttle Challenger, Mission 51-L, took off at the Kennedy Space Center, on that fateful day, Tuesday, the 28th January, 1986, from pad 396 at approximately at 11:38 Eastern Standard time (EST) Investigations carried out showed that even though the flight had been delayed and postponed four times for several hours, yet it was green- signaled by NASA to take off....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

President Ronald Reagans The Challenger Address

President Reagan's The Challenger Address was a speech delivered by the President on January 28, 1986 in the aftermath of the space shuttle Challenger's disintegration after liftoff where seven astronauts aboard the shuttle perished (Watson, 2011).... hellip; Rhetorical analysis of President Ronald Reagan's The Challenger Address President Reagan's The Challenger Address was a speech delivered by the President on January 28, 1986 in the aftermath of the space shuttle Challenger's disintegration after liftoff where seven astronauts aboard the shuttle perished (Watson, 2011)....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster

Smith, 41, the 10th Challenger mission where he was space shuttle pilot was his first flight into space.... These seven on board shuttle Mission 51L, the tenth of Challenger's orbit into space was to do something probably routine for astronauts -which was to carry some equipment like satellite and cameras to observe something so ordinary as Halley's comet (Greene p.... (NASA) and of Morton Thiokol, the company which produced rocket motors of space shuttles (Greene p....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

NASA Case Analysis

In its flaw, the whole spaceship went into pieces and the Columbia Space Shuttle ACCIDENT Introduction In 2003 of February millions of observers were taken aback by the explosion of Columbia Space Shuttle as it approached the earth's environment.... In the first place, before the materials were used it should have been accurately tried and tested to efficiently serve the function from launch time to the time when the spacecraft could have safely landed back on its pad on earth Body Definitely, the tragedy of Columbia Space Shuttle in 2003 was a learning lesson for the National Aeronautics Space Administration....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Compare the carnival of Barranquila with the one of Rio de Janeiro and another one in the US

Therefore, the carnival has its unique space and in essence is different from the Barranquilla or carnival at Rio-De-Janerio.... A typical carnival generally includes celebration at public level and at parade.... It includes major features of circuses, mask parades and public parties on street....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Weaknesses of Leadership at NASA

The 2003 Columbia Space Shuttle tragedy that saw seven astronauts die when the space shuttle was preparing to land defined the administrator's leadership competence.... NASA is an American government agency responsible for its It was established in 1958 from its predecessor NACA – National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics – and has posted remarkable performance including the famous Apollo moon-landing missions and lately, the space shuttle project.... In this paper, focus on… would be on Sean O'Keefe, the administrator charged with ensuring that the National Aeronautics and space Administration, NASA returns to Moon and further go to Mars during his 2001 to 2005 tenure (Lambright, 2008)....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us