[ben_jones]

> If the Challenger launch had been pushed back what major effects would there have been?

An administrator would’ve missed a promotion.

[runlaszlorun]

I think it’s not even a missed promotion but a perceived risk of one- which may or may not be accurate.

[themaninthedark]

That is a very uncharitable thing to say unless you have proof.

What was the public sentiment of the Shuttle at the time? What was Congress sentiment? Was there organizational fear in NASA that the program would be cancelled if launches were not timely?