Allan J. McDonald
Truth, Lies and O-Rings: Space Shuttle Challenger Insider Discusses Attempt to Avert Tragedy
What:
The University of New Haven (UNH) Tagliatela College of Engineering will host a public lecture, "Truth, Lies, and O-Rings: Inside the Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster" with Allan J. McDonald, retired engineer and executive of the aerospace industry. McDonald's lecture is featured as part of the UNH Fall 2010 ASME-New Haven and Alvine Engineering Professional Effectiveness and Enrichment Program. He will highlight his role in the attempt to stop the space shuttle Challenger from being launched by NASA in 1986, and the fiery destruction that took place on live television shortly after.
McDonald will highlight points made in his book, "Truth, Lies, and O-Rings," in which he contends that he fought to draw attention to the real reasons behind the disaster, and was the only one targeted for retribution by both NASA and his employer, Morton-Thiokol, Inc., now ATK Launch Systems Group, makers of the shuttle's solid rocket boosters. The lecture will look at the Challenger tragedy and its aftermath from the perspective of an insider who recognized the potential disaster and tried to prevent it. The event is free and open to the public.
Where:
Wednesday, September 15, 2010, 12:15 - 1:30 p.m., in the Schumann Auditorium in the Tagliatela College of Engineering, Room B120
Wednesday, September 15, 2010, 6 - 7:15 p.m., in Moulton Lounge, Bartels Hall, the campus center
Details:
McDonald received a B.S. in chemical engineering from Montana State University in 1959 and an M.S. in engineering administration from the University of Utah in 1967 He retired from ATK Launch Systems Group after a 42-year career with the company. He was the director of the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Motor Project at the time of the Challenger accident, and led the redesign of the solid rocket motors as vice president of engineering for space operations. He has several patents related to rocket propulsion, has published over 80 technical papers presented at national and international conferences, and received numerous professional awards.
The event is sponsored by ASME-New Haven and the Alvine Engineering Professional Effectiveness and Enrichment Program. For more information, please contact Professor of Mechanical Engineering Ismail I. Orabi, chair, UNH Department of Industrial Systems and Multidisciplinary Engineering, at 203-932-7144 or iorabi@newhaven.edu.