The Challenger Explosion Tragedy

The launch of Challenger was set and delayed five times due to bad weather. January, 28, 1986 was a pretty, sunny and clear day at the Florida Kennedy Space Center. The launching of challenger was a big buzz and much anticipated, mostly because they would be sending the first civilian ever into space along with the astronauts. The civilian was a school teacher named, Christa MaAuliffe. Her class would be watching her launch into space along with the rest of the country.

The day had arrived, January 28, 1986 and the ship called, Challenger was launched from the pad at around 11:30 AM eastern standard time. Only 73 seconds into the launch, much to America's shock and horror, Challenger exploded, killing all seven crew members aboard. How horrified those children must have been to see that happen to their school teacher. Everyone was in disbelief. I was only eight years old in 1986 but I will never forget seeing the Challenger explode over and over on the television. The problem was the cold temperature of the morning and some mechanical problems. The black smoke meant that the shuttle's O-rings and insulation had caught fire, accelerated by grease. One of the aft field joints were not sealing as it should.

At 58 seconds the first flames appeared, grew and pushed against the external tank which held hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen portion began to leak. At this point the Challenger's wings were already battered and burned. The Oxygen portion of the tank burst and mixed with the hydrogen, causing a white vapor that soon turned to a massive ball of fire and exploded at 46,000 feet above the earth. The powerful explosion sent debris flying in all directions towards the ocean. There was no escape system set up for the crew.

Many factors could have contributed to this tragic event, such as assembly and the very cold weather. Ice formation likely played a part too. This was the coldest day NASA had ever attempted a launch. The frigid temperatures had an affect on the sealing of the O-rings.Seven astronauts suddenly and horrendously lost their lives that day, including teacher, Christa McAuliffe. It was a day that started with such excitement and ended in such sadness and tragedy. It was a long time before the media turned it's attention away from the Challenger and it's crew. I felt a renewed and fresh sense of loss, remorse and pity for the families and friends of those astronauts, even as I wrote this article.

www.click2disasters.com/challenger/challenger_explosion_ch1.htm

www.jlhs.nhusd.k12.ca.us/Classes/Social_Science/Challenger.html/Challenger.html