Challenger Disaster Trivia

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What was the ambient air temperature at launch?

36 degrees Fahrenheit (correct)
30 degrees Fahrenheit
45 degrees Fahrenheit
50 degrees Fahrenheit

When did the flight of the space shuttle Challenger end?

73 seconds after launch (correct)
6.6 seconds before launch
At full thrust
110 seconds after launch

What caused the complete structural breakup of the orbiter?

Air Force range safety officer action
Hydrogen and oxygen propellants
Explosive release of restraining bolts
Severe aerodynamic loads (correct)

When were the solid rocket boosters destroyed?

110 seconds after launch (B) Signup and view all the answers

When was the last telemetry data from the Challenger received?

73.618 seconds after launch (C) Signup and view all the answers

Match the following with their descriptions:

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 Signup and view all the answers

Match the following with their actions during launch:

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 Signup and view all the answers

Match the following with their roles at launch:

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 Signup and view all the answers

Match the following with their timings during launch:

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 Signup and view all the answers

Match the following with their effects during launch:

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 Signup and view all the answers