spaceplasma:

The Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster

27 years ago today, one of the most tragic events in the history of the United States space program occurred.  The Space Shuttle Challenger, on what would have been its 10th mission to space, broke apart 73 seconds after takeoff, ending the mission and the lives of all 7 crew members aboard.  But what exactly caused the space shuttle to explode?

The Challenger Space Shuttle (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation OV-099) went on nine successful space flight missions before the disaster that occurred on January 28, 1986.  A little over one minute after takeoff, the shuttle began breaking apart.  The issues compounded, and eventually the spacecraft reached complete structural failure and crashed.

While several variables ultimately led to the disaster, the originating cause is believed to be due to an o-ring on the right solid-fuel booster.  Such o-rings are used to form seals between the various fuel compartments on the boosters.  The failure of such an o-ring and the volatility of the fuels surrounding it caused fire to erupt at incorrect places, causing more failures on the Challenger.  More fires erupted and explosions occurred, eventually causing the spacecraft to change course in its upward flight.  At mach 1.92, it is essential that the space shuttle fly at the proper angle to handle the aerodynamic forces being undertaken.  Unfortunately, the correct angle was eventually lost, causing the Challenger to ultimately and catastrophically break apart.

Image Credit: NASA

I remember this like it was yesterday. We had a snow day at school, so we were at home watching it live.

In years to come, I’d learn a lot about the nature of life and death. But looking back at this now, I think this was perhaps the first moment when the myth of immortality was shattered.

(via discoverynews)

Source: spaceplasma

3243 Notes/ Hide

  1. solwork reblogged this from spaceplasma
  2. rage-addict reblogged this from spaceplasma
  3. insaneclownpopcorn reblogged this from historiespast
  4. floating-beneath-the-waves reblogged this from smeanz
  5. smeanz reblogged this from hollyfromlastnight
  6. hollyfromlastnight reblogged this from spaceplasma
  7. whyareyouallsoold reblogged this from musicaltheatreobsessed
  8. givingg-uppp-slowlyyy reblogged this from musicaltheatreobsessed
  9. liamlovests reblogged this from adios-bitchez
  10. adios-bitchez reblogged this from musicaltheatreobsessed
  11. musicaltheatreobsessed reblogged this from spaceplasma
  12. neveraworsename reblogged this from spaceplasma
  13. ephemeralexistences reblogged this from subzidion
  14. stormcloudofsillystring reblogged this from spaceplasma
  15. jonomad reblogged this from spaceplasma
  16. unmimeographed reblogged this from sleeverat
  17. sleeverat reblogged this from spaceplasma
  18. ceaselessdreaming reblogged this from spaceplasma
  19. volanas reblogged this from spaceplasma
  20. spanglysparkly reblogged this from spaceplasma
  21. stay-myheartbeatsforlove reblogged this from spaceplasma
  22. chillin-and-illin reblogged this from spaceplasma
  23. mrmatt78 reblogged this from spaceplasma
  24. little-boxesallthesame reblogged this from cityyandcolour
  25. scienceinquiries reblogged this from spaceplasma
  26. heir-of-a-dying-day reblogged this from poeticpromise
  27. poeticpromise reblogged this from clockworkphantom
  28. the-stereotypical-asian reblogged this from spaceplasma
  29. blue-eyed-shark reblogged this from spaceplasma
  30. everyonelikedbubbahotep reblogged this from chunkydunkingmermaid
  31. strangelypretty reblogged this from spaceplasma
  32. goodthingsthatarenice reblogged this from historiespast
  33. mustangy reblogged this from spaceplasma
  34. gotitmemorizedx reblogged this from takingbackthestars
  35. mrdustinn reblogged this from spaceplasma
  36. azelie reblogged this from spaceplasma
  37. chelceedandan reblogged this from discoverynews
  38. seekin-a-great-perhaps reblogged this from darklugia
  39. space-relaunch reblogged this from discoverynews
  40. shadow--ball reblogged this from nervous-network
  41. vaguepassion reblogged this from spaceplasma
  42. asltlove reblogged this from spaceplasma