The Nation : Shuttle Rocket Criticized

A redesigned rocket booster joint for the space shuttle is less reliable than the one that caused the Challenger explosion, Roger M. Boisjoly told the National Society of Professional Engineers in Denver. Boisjoly, who is now on long-term disability leave, was an engineer with Morton Thiokol Inc. and worked on the design of the rocket booster that failed. He and another engineer urged officials not to go forward with the Jan. 28, 1986, Challenger launch, but the launch was approved. Morton Thiokol officials denied Boisjoly’s allegations and said the redesigned joint will go through an extensive test program.