Adam Higginbotham

Adam Higginbotham, journalist and author of Challenger, recounts the 1986 shuttle disaster with concise reporting and deep research. He discusses launch delays and pressure to make flights routine. He examines O-ring warnings, management reversals, and the investigation. He reflects on the shuttle’s legacy, Krista McAuliffe’s role, and how lessons shaped later accidents.

Adam Higginbotham, author of "Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space," dives deep into the tragic Challenger disaster of 1986. He highlights how engineers warned about the dangers of launching in frigid temperatures but were overridden by managerial pressure. The discussion sheds light on the flawed O-rings that failed under extreme cold, transforming what was meant to be a monumental flight into a devastating tragedy just seconds after liftoff. Higginbotham reveals both the heroism and culpability surrounding this pivotal moment in space history.

Patrick McNameeKing, NHPR reporter who collected local memories of Christa McAuliffe. Adam Higginbotham, author and historian of the Challenger disaster. They discuss the technical cause of the failure, ignored engineering warnings, NASA culture and budget pressures, McAuliffe’s role as the teacher-in-space, and how her community carried on her educational legacy.

Join journalist Adam Higginbotham, who dives into the Challenger disaster's chilling details and its lasting impact on NASA. Science reporter Liz Tong discusses the Viking 1 mission that first landed on Mars, its quest to find life, and the debate sparked by its intriguing results. Health reporter Alan Yu recounts the thrilling journey of New Horizons, from near-misses to groundbreaking discoveries as it flew by Pluto, revealing Earth's icy cousin. Together, they explore the triumphs and tragedies that continue to shape space exploration.

In a compelling discussion, author Adam Higginbotham dives into the gripping details of the Challenger disaster. He reveals the engineering marvels and the political cynicism that set the stage for tragedy. The conversation highlights the bravery of the astronauts and the urgent lessons that emerged from this catastrophe. Higginbotham connects the Challenger disaster to broader safety issues within NASA, stressing the importance of heeding engineers’ warnings. Their legacy continues to shape public perceptions of space exploration.