My Challenger Research: Was Asbestos or a Substitute involved in the ill fated Flight?

I am taking this week off to be with family. I looked through my 70 plus blogs over the last year and one-half, and decided to re-post the one which I believe is the most thought provoking: my Challenger tragedy research. You can find it at https://theasbestosblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Space-Shuttle-Challenger-Thesis-1282022.pdf.

This is my first of three such research projects in support of eventually getting a Master’s in History degree. The fascinating issues on the asbestos include the extensive work during the early to mid-1980s by Thiokol and NASA in their failed attempt to eliminate asbestos from the field joint putty, the change in the diameter and length of the Chrysotile fibers in the replacement putty used on the Challenger, and the real reason why the first (and more successful putty) needed to be replaced. I am very much indebted to the Thiokol scientists and the historians who helped guide my research and ensure that I caught any gaps in the science and logic.

I first posted this research in January 2022. If you did not have a chance to read (or skim) it, the first time around, I hope that you find it educational and informative at this time. Please email me at TheAsbestosBlog@gmail.com or leave a comment. Thanks. Marty