Forty years ago, the space shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after liftoff, marking a devastating blow to the U.S. space program and a national tragedy. The tragedy led to a thorough investigation, with NPR reporters Howard Berkes and Daniel Zwerdling focusing on the engineers responsible for the shuttle's booster rockets. Their reporting revealed a last-minute effort by these engineers to prevent NASA from launching Challenger, which ultimately failed. This special NPR documentary delves into the aftermath, exploring the engineers' decades-long struggle with guilt and the critical lessons learned as NASA's budget and workforce face challenges. The story serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and transparency in the face of tragedy, and the ongoing need for a thorough examination of risks and failures in space exploration.
