The Dark Side of Space Exploration: The Challenger Disaster

The Challenger disaster in 1986 exposed the dark side of space exploration, where profit-driven decisions and cost-cutting measures jeopardized astronaut safety. The tragedy highlighted how safety was compromised for financial gain, as contractors prioritized their bottom line over quality and safety standards. Even NASA, the revered space agency, was implicated for allowing external pressures to influence critical risk assessments. The disaster served as a sobering reminder of the dangers of prioritizing financial interests over human lives in the pursuit of space exploration.