"Allan McDonald, Challenger Launch Dissenter and Whistleblower, Dies at 83; Remembered for Heroic Refusal and Exposure of NASA Cover-Up"

Remembering Allan McDonald: He Refused To Approve Challenger Launch, Exposed Cover-Up

Allan McDonald in 2016 holds a commemorative poster honoring the seven astronauts killed aboard the space shuttle Challenger. Howard Berkes/NPR hide caption toggle caption Howard Berkes/NPR Allan McDonald in 2016 holds a commemorative poster honoring the seven astronauts killed aboard the space shuttle Challenger. Howard Berkes/NPR On Jan. 27, 1986, Allan McDonald stood on the cusp of history. McDonald directed the booster rocket project at NASA contractor Morton Thiokol. He was responsible fo...