1.0 Introduction Seventy-three seconds into its tenth flight, on January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger disintegrated over the Atlantic Ocean, killing the seven crew members on board [ 1]. Challenger was the second space shuttle built by NASA and had completed nine successful missions before the disaster. Following the accident, the shuttle program was suspended for 32 months as President Ronald Regan appointed a commission, chaired by William P. Rogers and known as the Rogers Commission, to investigate the causes of the accident [1]. The analysis contained in this report will include a summary of the sequence of events that led to the disaster, analysis of the ethical behaviors and professional responsibilities that were compromised, and finally, lessons learned and recommendations to avoid such future disasters . 2.0 Sequence of events The space shuttle Challenger was originally scheduled to launch from the Kennedy Space Center on January 22, 1986; however, due to delays with the previous mission, weather problems, and failures of some mechanical and electrical components, the launch was delayed until January 28, 1986 [2]. However, the forecast predicted a cold morning with temperatures of -1°C, which according to the technical specifications, was the lowest temperature allowed for the launch. The cold temperature caused concern for two of the shuttle's major contractors, Morton Thiokol and Rockwell International, as the launch facility was covered in ice and the joint Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) design was suspected of performing poorly in cold temperatures [2 ] .In the mid-1980s, the shuttle space program was the focus of political media attention as it failed to deliver desired results... middle of paper... long-term investigation” [online], World Socialist Web Site, May 6, 2003 [cited March 16, 2010], available on the World Wide Web:[4] Joseph P. Kerwin, “Report to Admiral Truly,” [online], Washington, DC.: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, July 28, 1986 [cited March 16, 2010], available on the World Wide Web:[5] Roger M. Boisjoly, “Telecon Meeting (Ethical Decisions – Morton Thiokol and the Challenger Disaster)” [online], Washington, DC . : National Academy of Engineering, May 15, 2006 [cited March 16, 2010], available from the World Wide Web:[6] Gordon Andrews et al, Introduction to Professional Engineering in Canada, 3rd ed., Toronto, Ontario: Pearson Education Canada, 2006.