Challenger - 30 years ago today

[ayepatz]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/space/12125646/The-Challenger-space-shuttle-disaster-How-tragedy-struck-30-years-ago.html

I still remember this like it was only yesterday. A terrible tragedy reminding us of just how fraught with danger space travel really is.

I salute all astronauts for their bravery and dedication to the advancement of science.

[irratebass]

30 years? Wow! Yeah I remember being in school watching it on television.

[Puros Y Vino]

I remember staying home to watch this and recording it on VHS. Here's an eerie coincidence. I had a model of the Challenger on the launchpad with its' fuel tank and boosters. It say high on a bookshelf next to my bed. I had started recording the launch early on before the accident. At one point I went to my bedroom to grab something and noticed the model had fallen down on to my bed. I though nothing of it and left it as it was so I could resume watching the launch. Minutes later, the launch is on and the explosion is broadcast live to the horror of millions. News reports cite an "O" ring seal bursting on the right SRB (Solid Rocket Booster) as the cause of the explosion. I run back to my room to look at my model for reference. It had fallen from it's perch on the launch pad on to my bed. I hadn't glued it down so I could take it on/off as I pleased. The shuttle was glued to the tank though. As I lifted up the model. The right SRB detached from the fuel tank. I was spooked a bit.

[shortsqueeze]

I remember watching the launch from the school library. There's an excellent documentary on the History Channel in the States that just came out and is worth watching.

It's a shame the space program of today is not what it was. It inspired a generation and beyond. I can't think of a better use of money.

[CanuckSARTech]

Same here - was in the school library in gradeschool, watching the live feed of the launch.

Lots of kudos to those involved in spaceflight and flying in general - society may have gotten a bit complacent due to such a stellar safety record in recent decades, but there's no denying the cojones it takes to do what these ladies and gents do.

[Puros Y Vino]

Lots of kudos to those involved in spaceflight and flying in general - society may have gotten a bit complacent due to such a stellar safety record in recent decades, but there's no denying the cojones it takes to do what these ladies and gents do.

On that note, I always found this quote funny.

“I guess the question I'm asked the most often is: "When you were sitting in that capsule listening to the count-down, how did you feel?" Well, the answer to that one is easy. I felt exactly how you would feel if you were getting ready to launch and knew you were sitting on top of two million parts -- all built by the lowest bidder on a government contract.”

― John Glenn

[OZCUBAN]

True Heros one and ALL

Let's not forget White Chaffee and Grisham

RIP

[OZCUBAN]

Going to space is the hardest thing we humans do

[MPS]

I was there to witness it at 7 years old. Tragic.

[Dijit]

I remember this very well. Standing in my cousins back yard in Melbourne FL. We felt the shock wave and were completely at a loss for words when we heard on the news what we already knew.

[Pharmacovigilant]

I can't believe it's been 30 years, seems like only yesterday. I also vividly remember Ronald Reagan's beautiful and comforting words to a grieving nation:

[skalls]

I wrote a letter to Reagan after this happened, had some help from my folks as I was 6.

Got a letter back from the president a month later.

Tragic accident but we're never going to move forward without accepting the risks we face when it comes to space travel.

[TheFullMontecristo]

One of those events where you remember exactly where you were and what you were doing when you heard the news. The other for me was 9/11.

[luv2fly]

I remember it like it was yesterday. Home sick from school and watching the launch. Called my mother to tell her. Seams like time stood still for a bit. God speed the crew of the Challenger and Columbia!

[kyee]

I remember that day well too.

I saw this article today, I was not aware of this part of the story.

[luv2fly]

Yea, the thought is that some may have been alive until impact. The personal air packs only delivered unpressurized air, not forced air, so at that altitude the time of useful conciseness is a matter of seconds if the crew compartment was breeched. If it was not breeched, they may have lived to impact. I would prefer to be out and not know what was coming.

[Drguano]

I remember coming back to my flat and turning on the radio. Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings was playing and I thought that was odd. Turned on the telly and saw the news. I still get emotional.

This link is very informative if you are interested in the exact details of the Challenger explosion:

http://er.jsc.nasa.gov/seh/explode.html

I was fortunate to see six of the last eight launches from the NASA Causeway and each one was amazing. I never relaxed until I heard mission control announced main engine shutdown. I remember the night launch of STS-128 when Discovery was visible for eight minutes until it went over the horizon 500 miles downrange. You can watch it here:

[luv2fly]

I saw a launch in a C-172 at 5,000 feet years ago. Just awesome!

[Drguano]

Yea, the thought is that some may have been alive until impact. The personal air packs only delivered unpressurized air, not forced air, so at that altitude the time of useful conciseness is a matter of seconds if the crew compartment was breeched. If it was not breeched, they may have lived to impact. I would prefer to be out and not know what was coming.

This link discusses the possibility that the crew were not killed in the breakup of the Challenger:

http://www.space-shuttle.com/challenger1.htm

[OZCUBAN]

All the heroes together

Apollo 1 January 27 1967

Challenger 28 January 28 1986

Columbia Febuary 1 2003

[jwr0201]

In Orlando, we were close enough to watch the launches live. Most of us at work were watching STS-51L launch live and immediately knew something was wrong shortly after liftoff. Horrible, gut-wrenching feeling. I used to fly sailplanes at a grass strip in Oviedo and during take-off, one could see the VAB and the shuttle on the pad when you reached 200 ft agl.