Challenger engineer at MSU

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Allan McDonald, then-director of the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Motor Project for engineering contractor Morton Thiokol, was among millions watching in shock as Space Shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after liftoff on Jan. 28, 1986. He was at the Launch Control Center the night before arguing there was no guarantee the shuttle’s O-rings could safely handle the 20 degree launch-time temperatures. McDonald refused to sign the launch recommendation, but ultimately, was over-ruled. He spoke April 19 at Mississippi State University’s Bagley College of Engineering’s Distinguished Speaker series. (Source: Mississippi State University 04/20/17)