BY Gilberto Garcia & Edwin Hernandez

The Challenger Disaster

● The Challenger was NASA’s second space craft to be put into service● The total number of missions it completed was nine. Its first mission was

on April 4, 1963 and the last which would been it’s tenth mission if it was completed, was on January 28, 1986.

The Challenger

● The Mission- Space Shuttle Challenger was to deploy TDRS-B, which would have been part of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System; a concept meant to improve satellite tracking and telemetry (a process by which remote data is collected). It was also meant to begin the Teacher in Space Program.

STS-51-L

The Crew● Francis R. Scobee- mission commander● Michael J. Smith- pilot● Gregory B Jarvis- payload specialist 1● Christa McAuliffe-payload specialist 2. She was also

meant to be the first teacher in space● Ellison S. Onizuka- mission specialist 1● Judith A. Resnik- mission specialist 2● Ronald E. McNair- mission specialist 3

Left to right: Christa McAuliffe, Gregory Jarvis,Judith A. Resnik, Francis R. Scobee, Ronald E. McNair,Mike J. Smith, and Ellison S. Onizuka.

Result● On 1/28/1986, just 73 seconds after lift off, the

Challenger was torn apart over the Atlantic Ocean. None of its crew members survived.

what happened?After the accident, studies showed that a seal in the right booster rocket broke down because of the cold weather going on that day. After the seal broke down hot gas escaped from the booster which in turn damaged its structure. The booster then became loose and hit a fuel tank which erupted into a fireball.nf

AftermathMost Americans viewed the event on television, however some such as Christa McAuliffe’s parents and students witnessed it themselves.After the disaster, Ronald Reagan addressed the U.S. on what had happened earlier and honored the crew. Several days later a service was held for the seven astronauts at Johnson Space Center

Effect on space programAfter the disaster, NASA did not launch shuttles into space until 1988. During this process the organization improved on many aspects of its program. Even its management was going under changes. Moreover, the Teacher in Space Program was cancelled until its revival in the 21st Century by private sectors. The next shuttle launch by NASA was on 9/29/1988, which was an expedition led by the Discovery.

Work Cited"A Closer Look at the Challenger Explosion and Its Aftermath." About.com Space / Astronomy. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 May

2014.

"The Shuttle Challenger Memorial - Arlington National Cemetery." The Shuttle Challenger Memorial - Arlington National Cemetery. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 June 2014.

"Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster FAQ: What Went Wrong." Space.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 June 2014.

"Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster." Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 May 2014.

"A Closer Look at the Challenger Explosion and Its Aftermath." About.com Space / Astronomy. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 May 2014.

"The Shuttle Challenger Memorial - Arlington National Cemetery." The Shuttle Challenger Memorial - Arlington National Cemetery. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 June 2014.

"Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster FAQ: What Went Wrong." Space.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 June 2014.

"Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster." Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 May 2014.