I don't think there isn't anything more infuriating than knowing that simply postponing a launch could have prevented death; that brilliant astronauts would die on the Challenger when it could have been delayed for another time (cold weather and o-rings; it'd seem like a joke if it weren't for the fact that astronauts perished). Physicist Richard Feynman (played in the film by William Hurt in a wig), dying of cancer (possibly related to his days on the Manhattan Project, assisting in mathematic computation, responsible for developing the A-bomb), is brought into the "Rogers Commission" as an independent analyst (while the rest of this group have allegiances and ties to various political/scientific associates/associations, his voice is undeterred by such influences) and he discovers answers that led to the supposed necessity of launching the Challenger that dark day in 1986. With heavy emphasis on Feynman's prospective (it is all from his point of view and through his experiences on the Rogers Commission) during the search for truth (and ability to explain to an audience that can understand and listen to such truth), The Challenger Disaster is an absorbing docudrama that can explain to a cable/television audience the unfortunate mistakes by NASA management to launch a flight that was doomed to be a tragedy. Arranged like a difficult pursuit for the truth, this docudrama, through Hurt's performance, essays Feynman's frustrations and roadblocks that often interrupt and interfere informing others of NASA management's miscalculations when their own scientists had differing analysis/calculations regarding the launch of Challenger and its "resilient" rubber o-ring capability. While Hurt adds pauses when reciting the words of Feynman (when the real Feynman is shown describing the miscalculation in the o-ring, he's more assertive and delivers authoritatively), he provides insight into the anguish behind the scenes when cancer was taking away time he could spend with family while giving him incentive to get to the truth (and out there to the masses) before it runs out. I really found the film informative and the results haunting. I think it was the right idea to follow the one man with no outside influences to hide secrets for. There's even a Deep Throat who provided the information about the o-ring and an Air Force general (Bruce Greenwood) behind a spy-satellite project (Titan) both of whom just might assist Feynman in his pursuit. Directed like an unfolding mystery, The Challenger Disaster is worth checking out if you are familiar with that sad bit of American space program history (I was a kid when it happened and I have never forgotten that moment). Playing currently on "Science" & "Discovery" channels, if it's on give it a watch. Also starring Brian Dennehy as the head of the Rogers Commission and Joanne Whalley as Feynman's wife. Good cast, and the obvious discomfort of many people involved in a possible cover up is a major component in Feynman's agony and ecstasy when the final results come out and expose serious logic errors
logic errors that sent astronauts to their deaths.
Review of The Challenger Disaster
