Topic outline

  • Engineering Ethics Case Study: The Challenger Disaster

    Credits : 4 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    This course provides instruction in engineering ethics through a case study of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. The minimum technical details needed to understand the physical cause of the Shuttle failure are given.

    The disaster itself is chronicled through NASA photographs. Next the decision-making process—especially the discussions occurring during the teleconference held on the evening before the launch—is described. Direct quotations from engineers interviewed after the disaster are used to illustrate the ambiguities of the data and the pressures that the decision-makers faced in the months and hours preceding the launch.

    The course culminates in an extended treatment of six ethical issues raised by Challenger.

    Topics:

    This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:
    • Common errors to avoid in studying the history of an engineering failure: the retrospective fallacy and the myth of perfect engineering practice
    • Shuttle hardware involved in the disaster
    • Decisions made in the period preceding the launch
    • Ethical issue: NASA giving first priority to public safety over other concerns
    • Ethical issue: the contractor giving first priority to public safety over other concerns
    • Ethical issue: whistle blowing
    • Ethical issue: informed consent
    • Ethical issue: ownership of company records
    • Ethical issue: how the public perceives that an engineering decision involves an ethical violation

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course: Click below to enroll:
    (must be logged into your user account)


    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
         NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.

    4.) Certificate:A passing grade of 70% or higher on the quiz, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.

    Print the Certificate of Completion

    Publication Source: Mark Rossow, PhD, PE (retired)


    Mark Rossow PhD, PE (retired)

    • Topic 1