General Discussion

lastlib

(27,880 posts) Wed Jan 28, 2026, 03:22 PM Jan 28

40 Years Ago Today: [View all]

The Challenger shuttle disaster. The nation and the world lost seven heroes of science and exploration:

Francis R. Scobee, Mission Commander
Michael J. Smith, Pilot/Astronaut
Ronald E. McNair, Mission Spcecialist
Ellison S. Onizuka, Mission Specialist
Judith A. Resnick, Mission Specialist
S. Christa McAuliffe, Teacher in Space
Gregory B. Jarvis, Payload Specialist

The Challenger shuttle booster exploded 73 seconds after launch, destroying the shuttle orbiter, and killing all seven crew members. The cause of the explosion was traced by an investigating commission member to be an O-ring seal between sections of a solid-rocket booster that stiffened due to cold temperatures at launch and thereby failed to seal.
The mission was to be the first to put a teacher in space to conduct science lessons for schoolchildren.

This image is seared into the memory of all of us who were alive that day and experienced the tragedy.

RIP, Challenger crew. You are not forgotten.

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27 replies

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Highlight:

40 Years Ago Today: [View all] lastlib Jan 28 OP

I was living in Jacksonville Fl at the time pfitz59 Jan 28 #1

😢 Clouds Passing Jan 28 #2

I watched the shuttle Columbia land 7/4/82 at Edwards AFB, CA dickthegrouch Jan 28 #3

Watched it in school JustAnotherGen Jan 28 #4

Im no fan, but that day, Reagan was the president this nation needed. Volaris Jan 28 #5

We never needed Reagan! CountAllVotes Jan 28 #7

Anybody would have been better than Reagan. Well except for trump, shrub, nixon, ... erronis Jan 28 #11

I was just going to mention that Polybius Jan 28 #20

Yes, he read Peggy Noonan's speech without making a mistake misanthrope Jan 28 #22

All modern Presidents have speechwriters Polybius Jan 29 #27

I was a kid and my family was taking a January vacation in Florida at the time Tommy Carcetti Jan 28 #6

Wow - what an exceptional time to be there and what a memory! erronis Jan 28 #12

I was living in southeast Orlando at the time and saw the unusual plumes while looking out from a loading dock. dameatball Jan 28 #8

Shuttle launches canetoad Jan 28 #9

Damn time flies malaise Jan 28 #10

I remember feeling overwhelming sadness... BurnDoubt Jan 28 #13

I think we all remember where we were when that happened. llmart Jan 28 #14

Oh, woah. I do remember; just forget the date .... electric_blue68 Jan 28 #15

I was in a dorm lounge at ECSU watching the TV with a friend. debsy Jan 28 #16

I remember. I had stopped for gas, and the store had the tv on niyad Jan 28 #17

A tragic, sad day democrank Jan 28 #18

I was at home sick that day. Xavier Breath Jan 28 #19

The day before my 25th birthday. IrishAfricanAmerican Jan 28 #21

Medicare, baby! lastlib Jan 28 #23

Thanks! Started it first of the year. IrishAfricanAmerican Jan 28 #25

Very sad day, l remember it well 😪 Raine Jan 28 #24

It's sort of like when JFK and John Lennon and 9/11 occurred BigmanPigman Jan 28 #26