News Archive / Tagged: Space Shuttle Challenger

• NASA honors those lost during 2018 Day of Remembrance ceremony

  Sean CostelloJanuary 25th, 2018

  KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Once a year, generally on the last Thursday of January, the Astronauts Memorial Foundation welcomes the public to join assembled astronauts, family members and space program workers to remember the U.S. astronauts who lost their lives while serving on active duty. On Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018 those lost were remembered and their sacrifice honored.

• Space Coast community reflects on fallen astronauts

  Sean CostelloJanuary 30th, 2016

  For the third time this week, residents and visitors to Florida’s Brevard County gathered to pay their respects to the fallen heroes of the U.S. Space Program, astronauts who lost their lives while performing mission-related duties. Beginning with a chorus from the children of the Sculptor Charter School Choir, the service got underway with about 100 residents, visitors, and dignitaries present.

• Our Spaceflight Heritage: Remembering Challenger

  Collin SkocikJanuary 28th, 2016

  On Jan. 28, 1986, a “routine” shuttle launch turned into a monumental tragedy that forever altered the course of the Space Shuttle Program, and from which NASA – and the nation – never fully recovered.

• STS-51L lessons and loss 30 years later

  David DarlingJanuary 25th, 2016

  On Jan. 28, 1986, the 25th Space Shuttle mission (STS-51L) ended in tragedy just 73 seconds after lifting off from Launch Complex 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Challenger was lost, along with its seven-member crew. The accident marked one of the darkest times in NASA's history.

• On 30th anniversary of Challenger disaster, crews ‘Forever Remembered’

  Jason RhianJanuary 13th, 2016

  KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. — One could almost walk past it, after all, the "Forever Remembered" memorial is located on the side of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex's $100 million Atlantis exhibit. However, as the date of the 30th anniversary of the loss of the crew of Space Shuttle Challenger's final mission, STS-51L approaches, it is undoubtedly one of the most important elements of the expansive facility.

• ‘Forever Remembered’ Memorial opens at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

  Jason RhianJune 27th, 2015

  KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla — They were two of the most traumatic experiences of a program that lasted 30 years. The names Challenger and Columbia will forever be tied to the 14 astronauts who lost their lives on STS-51L and STS-107 – and they will also be forever memorialized by a new exhibit at the Kennedy Space Center […]

• Our SpaceFlight Heritage: Bruce McCandless performs the first untethered spacewalk

  Gregory CecilFebruary 7th, 2015

  Thirty-one years ago today, on Feb. 7, 1984, mission specialist Bruce McCandless II became the first human to perform an untethered spacewalk (EVA) with the help of a Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU). Flying at an altitude of approximately 170 miles (274 km), and up to 320 feet (98 m) away from Space Shuttle Challenger, McCandless’ historic flight […]

• Kennedy Space Center honors fallen astronauts as part of NASA Day of Remembrance

  SpaceFlight InsiderJanuary 28th, 2015

  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. —  Around 200 people gathered at the Astronaut Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor’s Complex  at 10:30 a.m. (1330 GMT) on Jan. 28, 2015 to pay tribute to the crews of Apollo 1 and space shuttles Challenger and Columbia, as well as other NASA astronauts and ground support crew who lost their lives while […]

• Our SpaceFlight Heritage: 29th anniversary of Challenger disaster

  Jim SharkeyJanuary 28th, 2015

  On Jan. 28, 1986 space shuttle Challenger lifted off from Kennedy Space Center’s Pad 39B at 11:38 a.m. EST (1638 GMT). The failure of an O-ring on the shuttle’s right solid rocket booster (SRB) at liftoff led to chain of events that caused the spacecraft to breakup 73 seconds into its flight, resulting in the […]

• Former NASA astronaut Hank Hartsfield dies from complications following surgery

  SpaceFlight InsiderJuly 17th, 2014

  Spaceflight Insider has received a report from former shuttle astronaut Mike Mullane, USAF Colonel (ret.) that fellow former NASA astronaut Hank Hartsfield has passed away from complications following a recent back surgery. Hartsfield served as Mullane’s mission Commander on STS-41D. Hartsfield was known as a quiet, highly-skilled pilot who helped prepare fellow astronauts for their […]

• Book Review: Neil Armstrong: A Life of Flight

  Scott JohnsonJuly 5th, 2014

  Longtime NBC News Space Correspondent, Jay Barbree, has written a new book, entitled: Neil Armstrong: A Life of Flight (Macmillan Publishers / St. Martins’s Press / Thomas Dunne Books), which is scheduled for release next week – on July 8. Barbree has authored several prior books (on spaceflight and other topics) and is the only […]

• Opinion: Mars One – Our destiny in space or an Insane pipe dream?

  Collin SkocikMay 11th, 2014

    Mars One is a non-profit foundation formed in 2011 with the intention of establishing the first human settlement on the planet Mars. This is not a fly-by-night operation; it is a serious endeavor founded by intelligent and capable experts who have researched the feasibility and the risks and are prepared to launch a one-way […]

• Our SpaceFlight Heritage: Challenger’s first flight – 31 years later

  Jason RhianApril 4th, 2014

  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla — It’s been more than 30 years since space shuttle Challenger blazed a trail across the skies of Florida. The orbiter conducted its maiden flight on April 4, 1983. This image, provided by SFI partner Retro Space Images – details the first time Challenger was launch from Launch Complex 39 at NASA’s […]

• Remembering NASA astronaut Dale Gardner (1948–2014)

  SpaceFlight InsiderFebruary 23rd, 2014

  We bid farewell this week to former Naval pilot and NASA astronaut Dale Gardner, who died on Wednesday, February 19, 2014, from a brain aneurysm – he was 65. During his NASA career, Gardner flew two shuttle missions: STS-8 in 1983 aboard Challenger and STS-51A in 1984 aboard Discovery. During these two missions, he logged more than 14 days in space. 

• Review: Challenger – An American Tragedy

  Jason RhianFebruary 2nd, 2014

  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla – Hugh Harris knows a thing or two about the space shuttle program in general and, sadly, the Challenger tragedy in particular. Harris, was the Public Affairs Officer detailing the pre-launch and launch announcements as they took place on Jan. 28, 1986. Shortly after liftoff, control of the flight is handed from […]