The Rogers Commission

The Rogers Commission was formed in 1986 to investigate the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, when the shuttle exploded shortly after launch, killing all seven crew members. Chaired by politician William Rogers, it reviewed technical, organizational, and safety failures that led to the tragedy. The investigation revealed that NASA ignored safety concerns and missed critical warnings about the shuttle’s O-rings, which failed in cold weather. The report led to major changes in NASA’s safety procedures and a renewed focus on risk management, aiming to prevent similar accidents in the future.