The article explores how sociological theories from NASA's Columbia accident crossed over to the public and policy realms. The researchers found that analogies played a key role in this process, supported by professional legitimacy, conversations, technologies, time, networks, and social support. This study sheds light on how sociologists navigate their work outside academia and the tensions that arise when different types of sociology intersect. It contributes to understanding social boundaries, idea diffusion, the sociology of scientific knowledge, and debates on public sociology and the sociologist's role.