![]() The discoveries made on her many successful missions continue to better mankind in space flight and in life on Earth. The loss of Challenger does not overshadow her legacy in NASA's storied history. Just 73 seconds into mission STS 51-L, a booster failure caused an explosion that resulted in the loss of seven astronauts, as well as the vehicle. A host of scientific experiments and satellite deployments were performed during Challenger's missions.Ĭhallenger's service to America's space program ended in tragedy on Jan. Spacelabs 2 and 3 flew aboard the ship on missions STS 51-F and STS 51-B, as did the first German-dedicated Spacelab on STS 61-A. The first orbiter to launch and land at night on mission STS-8, Challenger also made the first Space Shuttle landing at Kennedy Space Center, concluding mission STS 41-B. Image to right: Space Shuttle Challenger leaps from the launch pad to begin mission STS-41-C. The orbiter launched the first American woman, Sally Ride, into space on mission STS-7 and was the first to carry two U.S. ![]() That mission saw the first spacewalk of the Space Shuttle program, as well as the deployment of the first satellite in the Tracking and Data Relay System constellation. Like its historic predecessors, Challenger and her crews made significant scientific contributions in the spirit of exploration.Ĭhallenger launched on her maiden voyage, STS-6, on April 4, 1983. The Apollo 17 lunar module also carried the name of Challenger. Space Shuttle orbiter Challenger was named after the British Naval research vessel HMS Challenger that sailed the Atlantic and Pacific oceans during the 1870s. The second orbiter to join NASA's Space Shuttle fleet, OV-099 arrived at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida in July 1982, bearing the name "Challenger." Although the job was easier than it would have been to convert NASA's first orbiter, Enterprise, it was a major process that involved the disassembly and replacement of many parts and components. The vehicle's conversion began late that year. In early 1979, NASA awarded Space Shuttle orbiter manufacturer Rockwell a contract to convert STA-099 to a space-rated orbiter, OV-099. Explorers trudged the Atlantic Ocean searching for World War II artifacts, but they stumbled on something else a 20-foot-long piece of debris from the Space Shuttle Challenger, which was. Image to left: Challenger is seen against a breathtaking backdrop of blue water and white clouds in this photo, taken from a camera aboard the Shuttle Pallet Satellite during mission STS-7. The best solution was to submit the vehicle to a year of intensive vibration and thermal testing. Computer software at the time wasn't yet advanced enough to accurately predict how STA-099's new, optimized design would respond to intense heat and stress. In the late 1970s, NASA strived for a lighter weight orbiter, but a test vehicle was needed to ensure the lighter airframe could handle the stress of space flight. But despite its Earth-bound beginnings, STA-099 was destined for space. Images featured on the Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) web site may be copyrighted.First called STA-099, Challenger was built to serve as a test vehicle for the Space Shuttle program.All materials created by the SOHO probe are copyrighted and require permission for commercial non-educational use.Materials from the Hubble Space Telescope may be copyrighted if they do not explicitly come from the STScI.The NASA website hosts a large number of images from the Soviet/ Russian space agency, and other non-American space agencies.Use of NASA logos (which include the current "meatball" logo, the old "worm" logo, and the seal) is restricted.( NASA copyright policy page or JPL Image Use Policy). NASA copyright policy states that "NASA material is not protected by copyright unless noted". ![]() This file is in the public domain because it was created by NASA. (A) the 1st space shuttle was launched (B) Challenger space shuttle ex- ploded (C) Columbia. ![]() Because shuttle launches had become almost routine after twenty-four successful missions, those watching the shuttle launch in person and on television found the sight of the explosion especially shocking and difficult to believe until NASA confirmed the accident. (A) A man made satellite used to take picture of planets. This photograph, taken a few seconds after the accident, shows the Space Shuttle Main Engines and Solid Rocket Booster exhaust plumes entwined around a ball of gas from the External Tank. Short Description: Space Shuttle Challenger explodes shortly after take-off.įull Description: On January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger and her seven-member crew were lost when a ruptured O-ring in the right Solid Rocket Booster caused an explosion soon after launch. Español: Nube dejada tras la desintegración ![]()
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