This document discusses the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster and the ethical issues surrounding its launch. It provides background on problems with the solid rocket booster field joint design that were known prior to launch. Engineers from Morton Thiokol warned NASA that the expected low launch temperature could compromise the joint seals, but NASA managers decided to launch anyway. Shortly after liftoff, a joint failure caused the right booster to explode, destroying the shuttle and killing all seven crew members. The case highlighted tensions between safety concerns and political pressure to keep the shuttle program on schedule.