40 years ago today: The Space Shuttle Challenger Accident

[martybegan]

40 years ago today. This was one of the "where were you" moments for Gen X. For late Gen X (born in the mid to late 70's) we were in grade school, and it was a big deal due to a teacher going into space.

 

[Meister]

I remember it clearly as I was listening to it being broadcast over the
radio at work.

 

[martybegan]

I remember it clearly as I was listening to it being broadcast over the
radio at work.

We were going to watch it on tape, as we were at lunch during the launch. I was in 5th grade.

I heard it from the kids who went home for lunch coming back to school saying it exploded.

The Principal came on the speaker and told us.

 

[MisterBeale]

NASA’s Next Moon Rocket Runs on Shuttle Engines—Here’s the Story Behind Each One

SLS is ready to fly and will feature three shuttle-era engines that have already flown to space.

gizmodo.com

Post in thread 'Will men return to the moon?'

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Follow the NASA Artemis 2 mission live! Real-time flight tracker, launch countdown, crew updates, and live coverage of humanity's return to the Moon.

spaceinformer.com

NASA moves critical fueling test for Artemis 2 moon rocket up to Jan. 31

The SLS wet dress rehearsal is the rocket's last major hurdle before launch.

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5 hours ago

• MisterBeale

• 

 

[OhPleaseJustQuit]

.

May they all Rest In Peace.

.

 

[martybegan]

NASA’s Next Moon Rocket Runs on Shuttle Engines—Here’s the Story Behind Each One

SLS is ready to fly and will feature three shuttle-era engines that have already flown to space.

gizmodo.com

Post in thread 'Will men return to the moon?'

Jan 28, 2026

Artemis 2 Live Tracker: Launch Countdown & Mission Status

Follow the NASA Artemis 2 mission live! Real-time flight tracker, launch countdown, crew updates, and live coverage of humanity's return to the Moon.

spaceinformer.com

NASA moves critical fueling test for Artemis 2 moon rocket up to Jan. 31

The SLS wet dress rehearsal is the rocket's last major hurdle before launch.

www.space.com

Everything NASA’s Artemis II Update to the Moon YOU Should Know!​

5 hours ago

• MisterBeale

• 

Good luck and God Speed to them.

 

[MisterBeale]

I was in elementary school.


They gathered all the classes together, and we saw the explosion in live time.

 

[Stryder50]

IIRC, I was working a night shift back then so caught on the morning TV programing.
Such a tragedy.
Doesn't seem like 40 years ago.
Tempis fugit

 

[MisterBeale]

Good luck and God Speed to them.

agreed

I have been following the progress of this mission for some time.

IMO, it is likely the most dangerous NASA has undertaken for some time.

I think about that Challenger explosion, and its affects on the space program often while digesting information on this, and what another catastrophe would mean for America. . .

 

[OhPleaseJustQuit]

IIRC, I was working a night shift back then so caught on the morning TV programing.
Such a tragedy.
Doesn't seem like 40 years ago.
Tempis fugit

.

I was also working nights. Saw this just as I was getting ready for bed.

.

 

[Stryder50]

agreed

I have been following the progress of this mission for some time.

IMO, it is likely the most dangerous NASA has undertaken for some time.

I think about that Challenger explosion, and its affects on the space program often while digesting information on this, and what another catastrophe would mean for America. . .

I think America can survive another catastrophe.
We've experienced many over the 250+ years.
The environment and risks involved mean that travel to outer space will have hazards for some time.

 

[Stryder50]

NASA’s Next Moon Rocket Runs on Shuttle Engines—Here’s the Story Behind Each One

SLS is ready to fly and will feature three shuttle-era engines that have already flown to space.

gizmodo.com

Post in thread 'Will men return to the moon?'

Jan 28, 2026

Artemis 2 Live Tracker: Launch Countdown & Mission Status

Follow the NASA Artemis 2 mission live! Real-time flight tracker, launch countdown, crew updates, and live coverage of humanity's return to the Moon.

spaceinformer.com

NASA moves critical fueling test for Artemis 2 moon rocket up to Jan. 31

The SLS wet dress rehearsal is the rocket's last major hurdle before launch.

www.space.com

Everything NASA’s Artemis II Update to the Moon YOU Should Know!​

5 hours ago

• MisterBeale

• 

Recycling those engines may save on costs, but there are only a small number of them and being used once and then "tossed" means there won't be many more of these missions.
...
One final note: Since SLS is a fully expendable rocket, these four RS-25 engines will end up at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean roughly 10 minutes after launch, never to be used again. Sad, but true.
...
Too bad they didn't develop a retrievable option.

 

[22lcidw]

All in different years. Apollo 1 tragedy was January 27. Challenger was January 28. And Columbia was February 1. 17 astronauts died.

 

[martybegan]

Recycling those engines may save on costs, but there are only a small number of them and being used once and then "tossed" means there won't be many more of these missions.
...
One final note: Since SLS is a fully expendable rocket, these four RS-25 engines will end up at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean roughly 10 minutes after launch, never to be used again. Sad, but true.
...
Too bad they didn't develop a retrievable option.

Elon's working on it.

 

[TNHarley]

I was born a few days after this happened. Yes, your boy is about to be 40. So I dont remember it, but I remember learning about it.
Nothing but respect for them and all astronauts. The smallest inkling of a problem could be certain death.