1986: The Space Shuttle Challenger, operating mission STS-51L, explodes 73 seconds after launch at an altitude of 48,000ft. The disintegration is attributed to an O-ring failure on the solid rocket booster (SRB) joint affected by the cold, 36 degree temperature at launch. All 7 members of the crew died, including Christie McAuliffe, the first chosen in the Teachers In Space Program. The crash resulted in a 32-month hiatus on Shuttle flights.
