The Challenger
By: Claire Taylor
What is the Challenger?
The Challenger is a space shuttle designed for NASA. It was launched into space on January 28, 1986. Aboard were 7 astronauts. They were asked by NASA to ride aboard the space shuttle.
5,4,3,2,1.....BLAST OFF!
The Challenger launched into space on January 28, 1986.
All Aboard!
Aboard were 7 astronauts. Their names were Christa McAuliffe, Ellison Onizuka, Greg Jarvis, Judy Resnik, Ron McNair, Commander Dick Scobee, and Pilot Mike Smith.
The Tragedy.....
Then a tragedy happened. 73 seconds into the flight and the rocket burst into flames!
73 Seconds is All it Takes!
There was disaster that occurred on January 28, 1986. 7 astronauts were aboard a space shuttle, and 73 seconds into their flight, and all everyone could see was FLAMES. All 7 astronauts, DEAD! The tragedy was watched world wide by millions of people. The reason? Two runner O-rings. They were burnt 37 seconds into the flight because of the hot propellant gases.
Blasting Off into Fun Facts!
- The Challenger weighs 178,000 pounds (that's as much as 13 African elephants)
- It cost a total of 1.7 million dollars
- It travels at a speed of 17,500 miles per hour
- Traveling that fast, you could see a sunrise/sunset every 45 minutes
- It was built by Rockwell International
- Millions were watching via the Internet
- A few of the astronauts on board were teachers
- NASA was temporarily suspended from launching anymore shuttles
Challenger Disaster Live on CNN
The video above shows the launch and explosion of the Challenger space shuttle. The 7 astronauts on board all died. 73 seconds is all it takes for your life to flash in front of your eyes. Almost all 7 of these astronauts were normal people and not astronauts. They had been asked by NASA to ride in the shuttle. Little did they know that they would never make it back alive and that they would never see their loved ones again.
NASA INFORMATION
If you would like to know more about the Challenger or any other space shuttle. You can contact NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) by calling them, emailing them, visiting their website, or contacting them on Twitter or Facebook.
Website: www.nasa.gov
Location: 300 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20024-3210
Phone: 1-202-358-0001
Facebook: facebook.com/NASA
Twitter: @NASA