Sources

http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0215468/shuttle_challenger_disaster.htm

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_gallery_2437.html

History of the Challenger

The Challenger, a space shuttle, was launched from Kennedy Space Center, located in 
Orlando Florida. On January 28, 1986, after only being in the air for 73 seconds at the altitude 
of 46,000 feet, it tragically exploded killing the seven crew members aboard, and shocking the 
entire United States. Sadly, all seven bodies were never found, and are still resting somewhere 
in the Atlantic Ocean.  The Challenger was delayed seven times before it was actually launched 
due to payloads, delays, and bad weather. The first date was scheduled for July 1985 but it 
wasn't launched until January 28, 1986, an entire year later. On the day it was launched, parts of
the shuttle were covered in ice, yet they decided to launch anyways.  The fact that people were 
more interested in Christa McAuliffe than in anything going wrong within the shuttle, was also 
another possible reason that the Challenger could have exploded.

What Was the Main Cause of the Challenger Explosion?

The main cause of the explosion was the failure of the aft joint (O ring) seal in the right SRB due to the cold weather.  It had frozen over in the night, and when the aircraft blasted off, it over heated which caused the ring to fail.  A combustion gas leak, which occurred in the right Solid Rocket Motor aft field joint initiated at or shortly after ignition, eventually penetrating the External Tank initiating vehicle structural breakup and loss of the Space Shuttle "The Challenger" during STS Mission 51-L.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljPYmSdyVZc

What Was Changed in Future Missions?

In 1991 the shuttle Endeavor joined the fleet to replace the Challenger. 

The O ring design was re-looked at, and was changed to guarantee a safer flight.  The O ring on the challenger malfunctioned under thermal distress (it over heated).  The size of the O ring was approximately one inch.  

 


The addition of a crew bail-out system was also added. NASA implemented stricter safety rules and regulations as well.

Sharon (Christa) McAuliffe

Name: Sharon (Christa) McAuliffe

Occupation: Teacher

Birth Date: September 02, 1948

Death Date: January 08, 1986

Christa McAuliffe, a high school teacher in Concord, was selected to go aboard the Challenger in 1986 as the first United States civilian in space, and the first teacher to ever go in space.  Her mission was to teach her students directly from space. As Christa's family, including her two children stood watching the Challenger blast off, they sadly witnessed one of the most heartbreaking and tragic events to ever occur in U.S. history.  Shortly after being launched, the Challenger exploded killing Christa and all of the members aboard.  Christa still lives on today in "Christa McAuliffe Elementary School" located in Saratoga, California.  Christa quotes "I really don't want to say goodbye to any of you people, no mission has had trouble this far."        

Who Was Aboard the Challenger?

1. Francis (Dick) R. Scobee

• Commander of the Challenger
• 46 year old man
• He had flown in forty five different types of aircraft

2. Micheal J. Smith

• Pilot of the Challenger
• This was going to be hist first time in space

3. Dr. Judith A. Resnik

• First mission specialists aboard the Challenger
• First Jewish woman to ever go in space
• Second American woman to ever go in space

4. Dr. Ronald E. McNair

• Second mission specialist aboard the Challenger
• Second African American to ever travel in space

5. Ellison S. Onizuka

• Third mission specialist aboard the Challenger
• Japanese man

6. Gregory B. Jarvis

• 41 year old man
• He had been replaced multiple times in the past

7. Sharon (Christa) McAuliffe

• First private citizen of the United States to ever go in space
• From Concord, New Hampshire

The Crew Members

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbYk85I01lM