No, it isn’t my book!  But Tip #4 in How To Be a Rocket Scientist is to read a book on rocket science.

One of the books on my short list is about the Shuttle Challenger accident, which happened 30 years ago today, on January 28, 1986.

Truth, Lies, and O-Rings: Inside the Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster tells the story of Allan McDonald, the man who knew it was a big mistake to launch in those cold temperatures.  And he did his honest best to postpone the launch.

But there was more than rocket science involved in the decision to launch on that fateful day.  Those factors–and that story–is something that every current and future rocket scientist needs to know and learn from, in my not-so-humble opinion.

Let us remember the lost astronauts from the Shuttle Challenger on this 30th anniversary.  Let us commit to remembering that integrity, courage, and respect for the laws of physics are still the responsibility of everyone involved in our bold pursuits.

Brett Hoffstadt is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.