The failure of the Challenger occurred due to the inability of certain O-rings in the joints of the rocket to withstand freezing temperatures. In January of 1985, Roger Boisjoly, an engineer at NASA, told his managers of this problem and that it would have catastrophic results if ignored. Unfortunately, the managers at NASA refused to take Roger’s advice. When the Challenger launched in January 1986, the temperature dropped below freezing, and the rocket exploded in less than two minutes after take-off. NASA tried to cover up their ignorance, but Roger revealed the truth of the explosion to news media.
Vivian Wells explains in her article: “Generally, the whistleblower's action is forward looking. While Boisjoly's account had implications for the redesign of the shuttle in the future, it served chiefly to explain how the terrible failure, both technical and moral, had occurred.” I agree with Wells that Roger was right to provide the public with information about the crash. If a serious disaster like a rocket crash happens, the families and general public have the right to know the cause if it is known. NASA was wrong by trying to coverup its huge mistake. Roger was looking out for the people affected by this crash and possible future crashes. Roger was not unethical in his decision to reveal NASA’s mistake because he disclosed the information through the appropriate legal channels. Retaliation from the company has the power to destroy the whistleblower’s career and reputation, even if the whistleblower accused the company for the good of the public. Although Roger was able to continue his career as a professional engineer, NASA was not justified in retaliating against him because Roger followed correct legal steps to uncover the information.
I view Roger Boisjoly as a hero in this situation because he had the courage to put his reputation on the line for the sake of the general public. He used the appropriate channels to reveal the information to the deserving-public. We, as engineers, have a tremendous amount of technical knowledge that affects all of humanity. Therefore, engineers have the moral duty to use their skills for the greater good and take responsibility for both the good and bad that comes from technology and engineering. When we graduate in May, we will take an oath that says we will work as engineers for the good of the people and actively practice morality in our designs and decisions. Whistleblowing takes a lot of courage because it often harms your personal reputation. However, if a company or decision could harm any person, an engineer must put himself/herself aside and do what’s right for humanity.