Space Shuttle Challenger

Definition

The Space Shuttle Challenger was a spacecraft operated by NASA that tragically exploded shortly after launch on January 28th, 1986 due to faulty O-rings on its solid rocket boosters.

Related terms

Cognitive Dissonance Theory: A theory suggesting that we have an inner drive to hold all our attitudes and beliefs in harmony and avoid disharmony (or dissonance).

Confirmation Bias: The tendency to search for information that confirms one’s preconceptions while ignoring or devaluing information that contradicts them.

Risk Perception: The subjective judgment people make about the severity and probability of a risk, and their attitudes towards it.