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Challenger Disaster Essay

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The Challenger was a space shuttle that was planned to launch on January 22, 1986, but the liftoff was delayed due to temperature conditions and other factors. During liftoff, a catastrophe occurred and the shuttle exploded. The disaster struck the hearts of most Americans and other countries. The Challenger space program was the first of its kind for NASA. This was the first time a lesson would be taught from space and children all over the nation were waiting to witness history. The Challenger space explosion was the first major NASA disaster that changed the space program forever.
The Teacher in Space opportunity was released by NASA on November 8, 1984, for a chance to fly in early 1986 (Mars). This was the first attempt at sending civilians …show more content…

The crew for this mission consisted of Ellison S. Onizuka, Barabara R. Morgan, Francis R. Scobee, S. Christa McAuliffe, Judith A. Resnick, Michael J. Smith, and Ronald E. McNair (Mars). McAuliffe and Morgan began training with the rest of the crew at Johnson Space Center on September 9, 1985 (Mars). The launch scheduled for January 22 was postponed until January 26 partially due to NASA trying to get Columbia, another spacecraft, back on the ground (“Challenger Disaster”). The night before the launch, thick ice settled on the launch pad, which delayed liftoff (“Challenger Disaster”). Many astronauts were skeptical of the program and NASA became less enthused, however, it was already in motion (“The Challenger Disaster Put an End…”). Engineers also had many concerns regarding the cold temperatures, however, they were overruled by managers who initiated the launch …show more content…

Mission Control told Challenger to begin liftoff and after just 73 seconds, at an altitude of 14,000 miles, the Challenger exploded (“Challenger Disaster”). Flight Director Jay H. Green and his team were monitoring the launch until they saw a fireball on television screens and realized there had been a major catastrophe (Mars). Evidence suggests, “[t]apes salvaged from the wreckage showed that the instant before the breakup Smith said ‘Uh-Oh,’ but nothing else was heard”(“Challenger Disaster”). The disaster killed all seven astronauts (“Challenger Disaster”). Hundreds were watching the launch from the ground, including Christa’s family, and millions more watching on live television (“Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster”). Many children stayed home with their families or watched the launch in school to celebrate a teacher going to space, which turned out to be a traumatic experience for all when the explosion occurred. The catastrophe brought about national mourning (Vaughan

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