January 28, 1986 - Space Shuttle Challenger Tragedy

[Pete]

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On this day, January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger tragically exploded 73 seconds after liftoff, resulting in the loss of all seven crew members on board. This devastating event unfolded live on television, shocking the nation and the world.

The Challenger mission, designated STS-51-L, was intended to deploy satellites and conduct scientific experiments. It also marked a historic moment with the inclusion of Christa McAuliffe, a teacher from New Hampshire, who was to become the first civilian in space as part of NASA’s Teacher in Space Program.

The explosion was caused by the failure of an O-ring seal on the right solid rocket booster, which allowed hot gases to escape, ultimately leading to the shuttle's catastrophic destruction.

Crew Members:

• Gregory Jarvis
• Christa McAuliffe (Teacher)
• Ronald McNair
• Ellison Onizuka
• Judith Resnik
• Dick Scobee (Commander)
• Michael J. Smith

Fun Fact: Ronald McNair, one of the astronauts, was also an accomplished saxophonist and planned to record a piece of music in space, which would have been the first musical performance recorded beyond Earth.

Trivia Question: What was the name of the first space shuttle to fly in NASA’s shuttle program, completing its maiden voyage in 1981?