Challenger: The shuttle disaster that shook the world

[Hom3r]

Twenty five years ago the Challenger space shuttle broke apart over a minute after its launch, killing all seven on board. It was both a tragedy and profoundly shocking event, the consequences of which are still being felt today.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12306318

I remember watching the news in total shock. I even have every daily paper the following day, and back in 1991 I went to Kennedy Space Centre and saw the Astronaut memorial.

[idi banashapan]

erm.... ok. good. (not sure what else to say, really - more of a statement than discussion)

[Sparkle]

I grew up in America, and was in SC when that happened. In late 1985 our school was let out for a short break to witness a special event:
A modified boeing 747 with the shuttle on its back, flying directly over our school ! At relatively low altitude too, I'd say no more than 4,000 ft. Had a very clear view of it flying low overhead.

I don't know how the school authorities knew the shuttle would be in the vicinity, but they did.

I was nearly 8 at the time, and despite all those years that have passed since then, will never forget the image. This was shortly before the shuttle blew up, very sad.

---------- Post added at 14:12 ---------- Previous post was at 14:07 ----------

Originally Posted by Hom3r

..and back in 1991 I went to Kennedy Space Centre and saw the Astronaut memorial.

I was there in 1992 and got the T-shirt, still have it too, it has "The Future is Now" (with a shuttle blast off in the background).
I had a lovely time there.

[Tod]

What a bleak day....but shows what brave men and women these people are.

[Kymmy]

Originally Posted by Sparkle

I grew up in America, and was in SC when that happened. In late 1985 our school was let out for a short break to witness a special event:
A modified boeing 747 with the shuttle on its back, flying directly over our school ! At relatively low altitude too, I'd say no more than 4,000 ft. Had a very clear view of it flying low overhead.

I don't know how the school authorities knew the shuttle would be in the vicinity, but they did.

I was nearly 8 at the time, and despite all those years that have passed since then, will never forget the image. This was shortly before the shuttle blew up, very sad..

We did the same in the early eighties in Manchester, UK. The shuttle on the back of the 747 came overhead and the whole school was outside to see it.

[Sparkle]

Originally Posted by Kymmy

We did the same in the early eighties in Manchester, UK. The shuttle on the back of the 747 came overhead and the whole school was outside to see it.

Thats interesting, I never knew the shuttle ever travelled over here !
Any ideas what it was doing here?

[DocDutch]

I thought it was a PR stunt by Nasa in the 80's showing the shuttle to Europe. according to Wiki it was the Enterprise going to the Paris Airshow (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shuttle_Carrier_Aircraft)

By 1983, SCA N905NA no longer bore the distinct American Airlines red, white, and blue cheatline. NASA replaced it with its own livery, consisting of a white fuselage and a single blue cheatline.[5] That year, this aircraft was also used to fly Shuttle Enterprise on a tour in Europe, with refuelling stops in Goose Bay, Canada, Keflavik, Iceland, England and West Germany. It then went to the Paris Air Show

[Kymmy]

It was Enterprise and it did a UK tour in 1983

Some pieced together pics of it at Stanstead here on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IB7gY7lwBE0

[Sparkle]

Wow, another day another new thing learnt

[Sparkle]

Originally Posted by Kymmy

It was Enterprise and it did a UK tour in 1983

Some pieced together pics of it at Stanstead here on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IB7gY7lwBE0

I couldn't watch the vid earlier as I was in work, but seeing it now it sure brings back a few memories ! Thanks for sharing.

[Hom3r]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/d...00/2506161.stm

[Maggy J]

A sad memory..

[LSainsbury]

...and on Feb 1st we have another anniversary - STS-107 - Columbia - the second shuttle in the fleet was destroyed during re-entry.