Change Preferences | Sign Out
SEARCH:
washingtonpost.com
Web
| Search Archives

RSS News Feeds

Top News
Nation
What is RSS? | All RSS Feeds
Remembering Challenger: 20 Years Later
This November 1985 file provided by NASA shows the crew of the doomed US space shuttle Challenger
The crew of the space shuttle Challenger. From left to right: Ellison Onizuka, Mike Smith, Christa McAuliffe, Dick Scobee, Greg Jarvis, Ron McNair and Judy Resnick.
"...The crew of the space shuttle Challenger honored us by the manner in which they lived their lives. We will never forget them nor the last time we saw them -- this morning -- as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye, and slipped the surly bonds of Earth to touch the face of God."
-- President Reagan Addresses the Nation, January 28, 1986

Photo Gallery: Remembering Challenger | Video: Challenger Liftoff and President Reagan's Address

A collection of Washington Post stories on both the Challenger disaster and the ensuing investigation follow below.
Space Shuttle Explodes, Killing Crew
The space shuttle Challenger, carrying six astronauts and schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe, exploded in a burst of fire 74 seconds after liftoff yesterday, killing all seven aboard and stunning a world made witness to the event by television.
 

The Columbia Disaster

The space shuttle Columbia disintegrated upon re-entry over north central Texas on the morning of Feb. 1, 2003. All seven crew members on board were killed.

• Photo Gallery: Triumph and Tragedy
The Columbia disaster evoked memories of the success and danger of the U.S. space program.

• Timeline: A Disaster Unfolds

• Graphics:The Crew | Debris Map | Columbia Up Close | Chronology of Events | Calculating the Risk

• Video: Astronauts Prepare for Re-entry | Bush Addresses the Nation

• On the Web: Investigation | NASA

• From the Post: The Columbia Disaster
President Reagan: A Tribute To Seven Heroes' 'Special Spirit' (Post, January 29, 1986, Page A4)
 
Tragedy Is Worst In 25 Years of Manned Missions: 3 Astronauts Died in 1967 Fire During Launch Pad Rehearsal (Post, January 29, 1986, Page A16)
 
The Horror Dawned Slowly: For One Very Long Moment After the Explosion, Few Realized They Had Witnessed a Disaster (Post, January 29, 1986, Page A1)
 
'The Shuttle's Blown Up!': Numbing News Reaches Reagan During State-of-Union Briefing (Post, January 29, 1986, Page A4)
 
Hometowns Grieve For Seven 'Pioneers': 'A Diversity of Races, Sexes and Vocations' (Post, January 29, 1986, Page A8)
 
Space Program Comes to Halt: Pall Cast Over NASA's Plans as Investigations Are Launched (Post, January 29, 1986, Page A14)
 
McAuliffe: Teacher on 'Ultimate Field Trip' (Post, January 28, 1986, Page A10)
 
Days of Minor Prelaunch Flaws: Sandstorm, Faulty Bolt, Tired Ground Crew Threw Off Timing (Post, January 24, 2006, Page A5)
 
NASA Official's Statement (Post, January 29, 1986, Page A6)
 
Shuttle Manufacturers Begin Internal Probes: Full Cooperation With NASA Pledged (Post, January 29, 1986, Page A14)
 
Silent Scenes of Tragedy Transfix the Nation: Senators Seemed Struck by The Inadequacy of Words to Express Their Shock and Sorrow (Post, January 29, 1986, Page A7)
 
The Lights of America's Mourning: Communities Across Nation Grope for Ways to Express Grief (Post, January 30, 1986, Page A1)
 
Space Disaster Probe Opens: Some Shuttle Debris Recovered; Flight Data Impounded (Post, January 30, 1986, Page A1)
 
Rechecking Shards of Challenger's Nervous System: Close Analysis of Taped Sensor Transmissions Could Speed the Answers (Post, January 30, 1986, Page A16)
 
Shuttle Boosters Like A Controlled Bomb: Experts Cite Probable Fuel Leak (Post, January 30, 1986, Page A1)
 
Shuttle Fuselage Section Recovered: Thousands Of Pieces Seen at Sea (Post, January 31, 1986, Page A1)
 
Film Implicates Solid-Fuel Booster: Footage Reveals 'Plume' Appeared About 14 Seconds Before Blast (Post, February 2, 1986, Page A1)
 
The Challenger Seven: A Shared Romance With Space: One Flight Path From Seven Walks of Life (Post, February 2, 1986, Page A1)
 
Reagan Picks Shuttle Panel: Armstrong, Yeager Among 12 to Take Over Probe (Post, February 4, 1986, Page A1)
 
Prelaunch Chill Was Discounted: Thiokol Consultation Brought a Go-Ahead, NASA Tells Probers (Post, February 7, 1986, Page A1)
 
Rocket Seals Failed Twelve Times in Past: Backup Prevented A Burn-Through (Post, February 10, 1986, Page A1)
 
NASA Knew Seals Could Fail: 1982 Report Warned of Potential Shuttle Booster Disaster (Post, February 13, 1986, Page A1)
 
Analysis: Soul-Searching, Anguish Grip Space Agency (Post, February 18, 1986, Page A1)
 
O-Ring Seals Were Below Freezing: NASA Finding Supports Theory of Failure (Post, February 24, 1986, Page A3)
 
Remains of Crew Of Shuttle Found: Strong Winds, Currents Hamper Recovery (Post, March 10, 1986, Page A1)
 
More News
© 2008 Washingtonpost.Newsweek Interactive