Challenger Disaster Trivia

<p>110 seconds after launch (B)</p>

<p>73.618 seconds after launch (C)</p>

<p>Space shuttle Challenger = Destroyed in an explosive burn 73 seconds after launch Solid rocket boosters = Destroyed by the Air Force range safety officer 110 seconds after launch Liquid-fueled main engines = Ignited in sequence and run up to full thrust 6.6 seconds before launch Telemetry data = Last received 73.618 seconds after launch</p>

<p>Thrust of the main engines = Bends the shuttle assembly forward from the bolts anchoring it to the pad Shuttle assembly = Springs back to the vertical after being bent forward by the thrust of the main engines Solid rocket boosters’ restraining bolts = Explosively released when the shuttle assembly springs back to the vertical External tank = Destroyed in an explosive burn, exposing the orbiter to severe aerodynamic loads</p>

<p>NASA-operated cameras = Used for visual examination and image enhancement of film from the space shuttle's launch Ground stations = Received telemetry data transmitted from the space shuttle during launch Air Force range safety officer = Destroyed the solid rocket boosters 110 seconds after launch Ambient air temperature = Measured at ground level approximately 1000 feet from the mission launch pad 39B</p>

<p>11:38 A.M. (EST) on January 28, 1986 = Start of the space shuttle Challenger's flight on mission 51-L 73 seconds after launch = End of the space shuttle Challenger's flight 15 degrees colder than any previous launch = Ambient air temperature at launch 6.6 seconds before launch = Ignition of the liquid-fueled main engines in sequence and run up to full thrust</p>

<p>Explosive burn of hydrogen and oxygen propellants = Destroyed the external tank and exposed the orbiter to severe aerodynamic loads Severe aerodynamic loads = Caused complete structural breakup of the orbiter Complete structural breakup of the orbiter = Caused by severe aerodynamic loads Fireball = Resulted in the destruction of the solid rocket boosters by the Air Force range safety officer</p>