The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster of 1986 shook the foundations of space exploration
The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster on January 28, 1986, occurred 73 seconds after liftoff due to unexpectedly cold temperatures affecting the integrity of O-ring seals in the solid rocket booster segment joints. The recovery efforts retrieved debris and the remains of the seven astronauts across a large area of the ocean. A significant portion of the shuttle’s wreckage was found in the ocean, including 167 fragments accounting for approximately 47% of the orbiter Challenger. Following the disaster, lawsuits were filed on various grounds, including negligence and wrongful death, against NASA and other parties involved. This incident prompted a comprehensive reevaluation of safety measures and operational protocols within NASA.
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