The most likely estimator of the temperature parameter is 0.001416
and the standard error of this estimator is 0.049, in other words we
cannot distinguish any particular impact and we must take our
The most likely estimator of the temperature parameter is ~~0.001416~~ __-0.11560__
and the standard error of this estimator is 0.047, in other words
**WRONG** ~~we
cannot distinguish any particular impact~~
_it is inverse-dependent on temperature, if temperature decreases by 1 degree, the probability of O-ring malfunction increases by 0.1156,_ and we must take our
estimates with caution.
# Estimation of the probability of O-ring malfunction
The expected temperature on the take-off day is 31°F. Let's try to
temperature has no significant impact on the probability of failure of the
O-rings. It will be about 0.2, as in the tests
where we had a failure of at least one joint. Let's get back to the initial dataset to estimate the probability of failure:
~~As expected from the initial data~~, the
temperature has **VERY** ~~no~~ significant impact on the probability of failure of the
O-rings. It will be ~~about 0.2~~ **in average over 0.8 to as high as more than 1.0 (certain)**,~~as in the tests
where we had a failure of at least one joint~~ **so we are expecting a failure of at least 4 joints**. Let's ~~get back to the initial dataset to~~ estimate the probability of failure:
This probability is thus about $p=0.065$. Knowing that there is
This probability is thus about $p=`r round(estim$fit, digits = 5)`\pm`r round(estim$se.fit, digits = 5)`$. Knowing that there is
a primary and a secondary O-ring on each of the three parts of the
launcher, the probability of failure of both joints of a launcher
is $p^2 \approx 0.00425$. The probability of failure of any one of the
launchers is $1-(1-p^2)^3 \approx 1.2%$. That would really be
is $p^2 \approx `r round((estim$fit+estim$se.fit)^2, digits = 2)`\pm`r round(2*estim$se.fit*estim$fit, digits = 2)`$. The probability of failure of any one of the
launchers is $1-(1-p^2)^3 \approx `r (1-(1-round((estim$fit+estim$se.fit)^2, digits = 0))^3)*100`\%$. ~~That would really be
bad luck.... Everything is under control, so the takeoff can happen
tomorrow as planned.
tomorrow as planned~~.**ABORT! ABORT! ABORT THE MISSION!**
But the next day, the Challenger shuttle exploded and took away
*Unfortunately, none of the above analysis was carried out properly and* the next day, the Challenger shuttle exploded and took away
with her the seven crew members. The public was shocked and in
the subsequent investigation, the reliability of the
O-rings was questioned. Beyond the internal communication problems
of NASA, which have a lot to do with this fiasco, the previous analysis
includes (at least) a small problem.... Can you find it?
You are free to modify this analysis and to look at this dataset
from all angles in order to to explain what's wrong.