The Challenger Disaster: Short Summary
On January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart 73 seconds after liftoff, killing all seven astronauts, including teacher Christa McAuliffe. A failed O-ring in a rocket booster caused the explosion.
Though the crew cabin stayed intact briefly, it crashed into the ocean. The tragedy led to major NASA safety reforms, and the crew is honored for their courage and contribution to space exploration.
