Rogers Commission

The Rogers Commission was established in response to the Challenger disaster on January 28, 1986. The U.S. space shuttle orbiter Challenger exploded shortly after launch, resulting in the deaths of all seven astronauts aboard. The commission, chaired by former Secretary of State William Rogers, investigated the cause of the accident.

The investigation revealed that a faulty O-ring seal in one of the solid rocket boosters, compromised by cold weather, led to a catastrophic failure. The commission faulted NASA and its contractor Morton Thiokol for poor engineering and management practices, highlighting issues with communication and an overly ambitious flight schedule. The disaster grounded the shuttle program and led to significant safety reforms within NASA.12