Truth, Lies and O-Rings

We all watched in shock and disbelief when Challenger was lost. Probably no one felt more disappointment and regret than Allan McDonald, who had warned us not to launch that day. His story tells of loss, grief, and the eventual rebuilding and recovery.“”–Robert ““Hoot”” Gibson, former Space Shuttle pilot and commander ““A major contribution to a difficult episode in the history of human spaceflight.”“–Roger D. Launius, Division of Space History, Smithsonian Institution ““McDonald tells the heartbreaking tale of how he saw his words of warning ignored, and the fateful consequences of that decision.”“–Donald C. Elder III, Eastern New Mexico University

Allan J. McDonald retired as vice president and technical director for advanced technology programs at ATK Thiokol Propulsion in 2001. He was the director of the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Motor Project at the time of the Challenger accident and, later, vice president of engineering for space operations during the redesign and requalification of the solid rocket motors.