MEMORANDUM

Summary
​After reviewing our data and observing past o-ring
anomalies, my team recommends delaying the Challenger space
shuttle launch until a temperature of 66​° ​F. or warmer. Previous
launch issues have occured due to O-ring erosion in cold
conditions which could prove devastating to the Challenger
shuttle and it’s crew. Because of forecasted cold weather on
January 28th my team must highly recommend delaying the
challenger launch until warmer conditions.

Specifics
Discounting the irregularities (see attached graph), our
research shows all shuttles launched in conditions below 63​°
were subject to o-ring erosion (Tufte, 2016, p. 22). Design
evaluations have shown that there is possibility of joint
rotation leading to gas leakage which would erode the secondary
o-rings (Winsor, 1988, p. 104). O-ring resilience (its
capability to follow the metal) testing has shown that in 100​°
conditions the o-rings maintained contact, at 75​°​ the o-ring
lost contact for 2.4 seconds before re establishing contact,
and in 50​°​ conditions the o-rings failed to establish contact
(Winsor, 1988, p. 105). Expected temperature on launch date is
between 26​° ​and 29​°​, much colder than prior launches. The
coldest successful launch without any erosion or blow-by
incidents took place in 66​°​ weather, therefor, we recommend
launching in weather no colder than this temperature. Launching
in polar conditions means taking the risk of heat reaching the
 fuel tank and causing devastation to the Challenger shuttle and
its passengers.

Ideal​ ​Conditions
My team recommends pushing the Challenger launch date to a
date when conditions are 66​° ​or warmer. Persisting with a colder
launch temperature risks the destruction of the Challenger
shuttle and fatality to the suttle’s passengers.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cited Sources:

Tufte, E. R. (2016). ​Visual and statistical thinking: Displays

of evidence for making decisions​. Cheshire, CT: Graphics Press.

Winsor, D. (1988). Communication Failures Contributing to the

Challenger Accident: An Example for Technical Communicators.
IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication,31​(3), 101-107.
doi:10.1109/47.7814