What really happened to the Challenger? Was it a preplanned disaster? | Dark History

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Hi friends, happy Thursday!
The Challenger disaster is considered one of the worst tragedies in American history. It’s seared into our minds. But do we have any idea what went wrong? Like… why did it happen and who is responsible? So friends… I dug deep and found some answers. And lemme tell ya… I got some questions for NASA.
I appreciate you for coming by, and tune in next week for more Dark History.
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Shop Dark History Merch: www.baileysarian.com
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You can find the Dark History podcast on Apple, Spotify, wherever you listen to your podcasts, and every Thursday here on my KZbin for the visual side of things.
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Bailey Sarian
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 - INTRO
06:45 - NASA PUSHES THE ENVELOPE
10:52 - THE TEACHER IN SPACE PROJECT
16:48 - THE LAUNCH
20:45 - BAD GUYS & RED FLAGS
27:11 - O-RING PROBLEMS
34:57 - POINTLESS SAFETY CHECKS & "MEMORIALS"
36:37 - CONCLUSION
38:01 - NEXT WEEK ON DARK HISTORY: MCCARTHYISM & THE LAVENDER SCARE
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This podcast is Executive Produced by:
Bailey Sarian, Dunia McNeily from 3arts, Kevin Grosch, and Matt Enlow From Made In Network
Writers: Katie Burris, Xander Elmore, Allyson Philobos, Joey Scavuzzo, and Bailey Sarian
Research provided by: Coleen Smith
Production Lead: Brian Jaggers
Post Supervisor: Kelly Hardin
Production Management: Ross Woodruff
Hair: Prince Angel
Makeup: Roni Herrera
I'm your host -- Bailey Sarian

[@jessiedeutschman1908]

My 4th/5th grade teacher was one of the finalists. She made it all the way through the program and was ready for space. At the last minute, she found out she was pregnant and couldn't go. So essentially, her daughter saved her life. And I'm so grateful because she was the best teacher I ever had. She got me through the last bit of elementary school. She was like a mother to me.

[@kimberlyarnold4023]

I’m glad she wasn’t able to go. I couldn’t imagine how traumatic it would be watching someone you care about, having their life ended and watching it on television 😢

[@cupcakeglitch]

This is what happened to me 4th grade teacher. I don't know if she was a finalist, but she was ultimately disqualified because she found out she was pregnant.

[@cattmahr9855]

baby saved her life 🥹

[@madyem4672]

AMAHZING!!! 🩵

[@Borntu]

NASA started with a man named Jack Parsons. You need to do a dark history about him. The story is pretty wild.

[@tiffanynicoletoth6080]

And a dark history of Ronald Regan and how he ruined America

[@lopylop88]

@borntu is it not normal to bring jet fuel home to launch ur own rockets? 😂

[@ColtraneAndRain]

Friend of L Ron Hubbard and Anton LaVey. 😮

[@danayneal4409]

The first headline I saw was "s÷x crazed antichrist". You're right. He sounds very interesting.

[@jenniferriske1328]

Now he’s connected to a cult.

[@user-mp4ll9jd7w]

My mom is watching this with me and when I look over at her she has tears in her eyes. She explained that her uncle was one of the people that applied for a spot and they watched it go down on live television. End of story, she was crying of relief he wasn’t on it and sorrow for those who were

[@shaec3405]

My Grandpa was Lead NASA PHOTOGRAPHER. He was taking THE pics at Cape Canaveral. It was devastating. He just had to keep shooting 😢.

[@dalphinezara7879]

@shaec3405 i didn't know he is grand nasa photographer

[@thejoreysofar]

And now I’m crying lol I cannot imagine the pain and relief that every teacher that applied felt when they watched that

[@mikilynn471]

My great uncle was on the challenger. He was the first Hawaiian astronaut too

[@dalphinezara7879]

@mikilynn471 i know he is hawaiian born astronaut ellison onizuka

[@kitrawoodall7675]

I was in 5th grade when the Challenger exploded. We watched all the shuttle launches live back then I remember my teacher just not knowing what to say to us as we watched the shuttle fall back to earth in pieces. Christa McCauliff was from my hometown so we were super invested. I won't ever forget that day

[@JenLuvs2Jazz]

I'm from New Hampshire also, and I was watching in my 8th grade class. I'll never forget the horror of that day

[@Milosgirl]

I was in 5th grade too. I vividly remember watching it at school. So devastating.

[@daffneybanta4634]

I was in the third grade. We watched it live. I was young enough at the time that it was the first time I remember seeing flags flown at half mast. Till this day any time I see a half mast flag I think about that day. Space travel is truly scary to me so naturally my oldest son is a robotics engineer that hopes to pursue space travel with his career. 😒

[@KristineS73]

I am also from NH and watched it Live in 8th grade at Parkside Jr highschool. The room went silent and we were ushered away from the t.v and into our next classes. Strange having those memories now and knowing what happened but not exactly knowing then. Rest easy Mrs. McAuliffe you are not ever forgotten. P.s. I ve been to her grave many times as she is buried in same place as many family members are in Concord NH.

[@jenniferstrole3601]

I was in the 5th grade as well and I remember crying when it happened.

[@GenXfrom75]

Watching Challenger explode as a 10 year old… it was devastating. Learning as an adult they were probably alive during the fall to the ocean was mind blowing and sickening 💔

[@jenniferriske1328]

Same.

[@viktoriyasuomalainen5920]

I was about 10 during the Columbia disaster, definitely a core memory.

[@irishkisserxoxo]

Lol

[@HollyHorror87]

Same! Just learned that tidbit & it made my heart ache even more, but then angry that it could have been avoided. So awful

[@martell203]

Perfectly stated. Thank you! 👏

[@tracydodson9997]

I worked for a contractor assigned to NASA at that time. Everywhere you looked there was a large picture of the Challenger crew draped in black. Black bunting hung from every available surface and it was silent. Very moving the respect and reverence to those lost. My office was directly across the hall from the investigation committee. Had a front row seat to watch . . . got to shake hands with Sally Ride, a memorable lady very gracious, along with dozens of others who to my 19 year old clueless self were just regular people not the history I was witness to. Wish I could go back and slap me to pay more attention. As always Ms Bailey you are amazing and wonderful and I love your work 🎉 Thank you for a trip down memory lane

[@terrybell7389]

What year was this? Google says 1986. Some remember 1984. Ty!

[@MamaMudiwa]

Imagine thinking, let me go on YT and watch something light, and clicking on this and kicking up your feet with a cup of coffee. This is my comfort zone.

[@DaNiiMii]

Same lol

[@lindaleeupton5984]

Dark History usually isn’t something “light”.

[@MamaMudiwa]

@@lindaleeupton5984 Definitely. That was light dark humor but thanks.

[@Hayley._.xoxo69]

Heard.

[@Mekia]

🎯

[@daniellewestenmeyer8444]

Bailey!!! I just want to let you know that I was chaperoning my daughter’s middle school field trip to the Air and Space Museum today. I saw this episode and listened to it on the bus trip down. I was able to give them a little history lesson when we got there. Great timing!!!

[@emilysuzann5119]

Girl please do an episode of Antarctica and all the crazy stuff going on there 🫠🤍

[@theoriginalbridgetconnors]

Maybe start with over 70% of the women that have been there have been sexually assaulted by men there.

[@daniellewestenmeyer8444]

Yes!

[@alexpriedite1447]

YES!!!!!

[@laraivetic2764]

YES PLEASE

[@shellyseats5630]

The ice wall !!! Lol

[@shellyseats5630]

Chernobyl, that's a dive i am enthralled with. I get fascinated with random things and i go all in until im done with it but i never get enough of Chernobyl. That is the one thing ethched in my mind from childhood.. that would be the most amazing thing ever if Bailey did a dive on that

[@ebonyharris5412]

I am the same! I was born in 1985 but for some reason, Chernobyl has always drawn my attention as well as Mt. St. Helen! I'm such a nerd😂😂

[@amywebb4586]

Same. It's one of the many Roman Empires that live rent free in my head.

[@brandyparker3987]

@shellyseats5630 - there’s an interesting episode of River Monsters where Jeremy Wade fishes over there.

[@Migraeni]

My Boyfriend and his friends actually traveled there 2019. With a guide you are able to walk in that area. They say it’s a feeling they will never forget.

[@JenniferandMark2014]

I remember how shocking this was to my 7 year old self. My 45 year old self is still saddened by this event. Thank you for covering this topic, Bailey. 🤗Jenn

[@wanniluv8671]

Me too. I was 5 years old and still remember 😢😢

[@FoxRogers]

what's up fam, it was so much. The entire class was sobbing for a week!

[@wickedkat5061]

Thank you for covering this story. I was in grade school when this happened. They had us all in the auditorium watching the launch live on TV. When it exploded, we didn't know that the blast wasn't planned until the announcers were upset. We all went home early and traumatized that day.

[@Coffeedrinker291]

I was in elementary school and I remember watching it on the tv they wheeled in on the cart…but I didn’t understand something was wrong right away..I figured that’s what was supposed to happen.

[@wickedkat5061]

@@Coffeedrinker291 Exactly! The adults gasped and the announcers on TV were upset but none of us kids knew that what we just saw was actually a tragedy at the moment it happened!

[@sarahacuff-willey3546]

Just when I said, "I never catch Bailey Sarian until days after she posts!". Well, here I am and here we are!! Thank you for this one! I watched it live in school and watched my teacher cry. It was a terrible, but memorable moment.

[@ErikaTBus]

I remember being home because it was a snow day. It interrupted 'The Price is Right.' So devastating :(

[@KatelynIngle]

I’m be caught here a few times lately. Thank you KZbin. 😂

[@lollylolly8186]

I saw it happen, living in Florida. For days after my cat was covered in ash. It was a horrible sight.

[@danb9447]

I thought you meant this video made your teacher cry

[@amethystkortz4283]

I was so excited for this episode! I brought earbuds to listen to while getting two root canals and wisdom tooth extraction... I knew Bailey would get me through it. She never disappoints. ❤❤❤

[@halroxdynasty8683]

I can't wait to watch this one. I was born when the Challenger accident happened, January 28, 1986. That morning...When my dad called my grandma she told him what had happened. Everyone was shocked. I grew up hearing about it all the time. They thought that was so wild. Later in life, I would end up traveling the country and I would meet my husband who is from New Hampshire...Well he told me that the teacher who passed away, Christa McCauliff, was a teacher in New Hampshire and when that happened, everyone in NH was totally sad and mourning. Then one time I was hitchhiking, and I ended up walking right by Christa McCualliff high School in Concord, NH. I thought that was probably one of the most full circle serendipitous moment of my life. Then my daughter ended up being born down the street in Concord hospital. RIP to her and all the crew 💔

[@kristinab8326]

Birthday twin! My mom said when I realized this happened on my exact bday (I was really young and learned at school), I was very upset with her for not telling me. I remember a plaque at my elementary school with a memorial to Christa and the crew. So tragic and terrible to know they disregarded all the safety warnings.

[@blufairy143]

Have you guys been to the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center. I’ve lived in NH for 23 years and still haven’t been. I do want to take my daughter this summer.

[@ChennaJCook]

The Challenger kinda kickstarted me existing. My father was about to graduate with his mechanical engineering degree and had interviewed with Morton-Thiokol. After the explosion, they hired thousands of engineers including my dad, which led to him moving from Utah to Florida. He always said the joke was "if you have a degree and a pulse, you're hired" because of how many engineers they needed. This was only supposed to be a 10-year stint in Florida before returning home, but almost 4 years later, he met a pretty young lady at a local restaurant.... Next week will be their 32nd wedding anniversary and they have two adult children. And they still live in Florida.

[@sarahelliott5504]

Hey Bailey. You should do an episode on the troubled teen industry. It's absolutely insane and awful and it still happens to this day. So many people go through this horrifying experience and i feel like more people need to be aware of it. Much love ❤️

[@birdyfeederz7940]

She hasn't yet? That surprises me

[@2litkeyz]

As a man who works long shifts in a warehouse i appreciate your videos they get me through the day even the MMM i listen to even tho i dont resonate with the makeup your storytelling is great, even if i heard the story before i stick around for your perspective , keep em coming 🫶🏽🔥

[@BAMITSCAM]

Same! Though I am a lady I drive a truck for work so I put her on my apple car play and just listen to her. I love how in depth she is and facts I wouldn’t have else known about.

[@Magpieme98]

Bailey, you were spot on when you said that this disaster is a core memory for certain people. I was in high school in 1986 and I live in Florida… Our class went outside along with many others to watch the historic space shuttle flight. It was such a horrific experience for so many of us and affected us terribly. I can’t imagine what the family members of the crew felt. I can still recall it so clearly. 😢

[@holiwood72]

I remember I was home sick from school that day. My mother and I just held each other and cried. I'm Canadian, but even the students here were watching. Horrible just Horrible.

[@ChennaJCook]

The one that kills me is watching the footage of Christa's parents watching the launch. Never mind how public it was, they literally watched their daughter die. Their child died right in front of them (along with six others) and they knew it, they said, and they couldn't do anything to save her.

[@saraphinacisneros8452]

Brings to mind two things! “Money is the root of all evil” and “ absolute power corrupts absolutely”!

[@lucianaromulus1408]

I used to work in QC with Aerospace parts, specifically O-Rings.....the amount of 💩 they pass makes me sick. Im not against making money, but when it becomes cancerous greed, its not acceptable

[@hallieadams4225]

Money it itself is an a thing..the evil is greed..human greed.

[@hillarycourchaine6829]

Money makes people miserable and it brings people to absolute madness. Sure it pays for bills etc, etc, but money can't buy you happiness and if anyone thinks that it does . Then they're not going to learn anything.

[@NathanScaglione100G]

*the Love of*

[@sharroon7574]

* the love of money is the root of evil

[@Out_GalliVANtin]

My great uncle worked for NASA through IBM, starting out as a mathematician and went on to help design the computers on the space shuttles. I never asked if there was a correlation, but he retired the year after the Challenger disaster.

[@christajohnston9482]

I was named after the teacher Christa McCauliff. My mom kept all of the newspapers covering this story. I have been fascinated with her and this story. Thank you for covering this story Bailey!

[@mrsblahblah92]

This was posted the exact minute I went on break, couldn’t have had better timing 😍

[@diva9920]

Me too, me too!!!

[@solenelicorne]

Je t'aimes très fort tatie Bailey ❤😊

[@solenelicorne]

Ou est joan tatie Bailey je la vois pas 😊

[@lilbabyogi]

Me too 😂

[@miryana79]

Fantastic,hey you should go get and copy Bailey's tattoos as well. I personally think she's overdone it a bit.

[@elanaLlama]

I was in nursing school that awful day and came out of a class to see a crowd of students quietly staring at a tv. I went to see what had everyone so riveted and realized quickly what had happened. I can still feel the sense of shock and sadness that hit me, even all these years later. RIP to all those who were lost 💔

[@AWESOMEgirlz02AWESOMEgirlz02]

my highschool government teacher told us about how his high school teacher was supposed to be the teacher who was sent into space. She was basically all the way through the process of going but she got pregnant and couldn’t go, but was absolutely traumatized after the explosion happened and he said that she would come into school every day after that, and be described it as was almost unbearable for him to see her so depressed because she just had the epiphany that it could’ve been her

[@galesalinas964]

My first child was born 2 weeks before the Challenger disaster. I was rocking him and watching the takeoff when my post-partum kicked in. It definitely was horrible to watch and normally I would have probably teared-up, but in my emotional state, you would have thought my entire family was onboard. I bawled for weeks until my hormones settled down.

[@tammihunter5913]

My son was 7 weeks old, and I was doing the same thing. I'll never forget it.

[@galesalinas964]

@@tammihunter5913 And the only thing to watch on TV in the middle of the night when you were up with the baby was CNN. It was non-stop coverage, so you just sit and get sad rocking your baby!

[@cindywannamaker5299]

I lived in Florida when this happened. We could actually see the launches. I remember seeing this happen vividly. It's just seared into your brain. I just stood there for a minute trying to figure out what just happened.

[@nisar8009]

I’ll never forget watching the launch. It was awful when the rocket blew up. It was such a shock.

[@tinaroberts5858]

It was so sad. 😢

[@jluchette]

Ya know, I think most people thought that was the awful part.

[@ebonyharris5412]

Of course that's the awful part! Maybe this person meant it was awful because they were caught off guard!​@@jluchette

[@jluchette]

@@ebonyharris5412 the worst part of any tragedy is often the tragedy. It's a difficult concept to grasp.

[@carbine090909]

My ex went to school with the daughter of an engineer who worked for Corning Glass (I know, 4 degrees of separation). NASA called him in to study the fragments of glass from the windshield panels to gather telemetry on what happened. They _really_ wanted to know.

[@honeybwood]

YESSS, Bailey pls do a dark history on Cats. I haven’t looked too much into it but there’s gotta be some dark history there

[@ariannasaarela7113]

YESSSSSS

[@solenelicorne]

J'adore les chats ils sont trop mignons je suis d'accord également tata Bailey ❤️

[@heavenjb]

For real!!

[@sarahnade9947]

I SECOND!

[@stephaniecoombe1012]

YEEEESSSSS!!!!!

[@riannongrubbs4231]

Thank you for covering this Bailey! I got the challenger mixed up with the Columbia accident at first- I only was aware of the Columbia accident because a crew member Kalpana Chawla attended UT Arlington and they try to honor her memory with her picture on the Engineering light pole flags and naming a dorm after her, but I didn’t know when it happened til I looked it up just now to figure out why this was so familiar. Both are tragic and lost seven people each, so it’s a somber yet important opportunity to understand what happened.

[@brandiemanuel5102]

You have taught me more than I learned my entire time in public school. Thank you for that 😂.

[@hollyjohns1377]

I was 7 years old. I remember watching the launch on TV at school. The explosion is sketched into my mind. Anytime the Challenger is mentioned, I automatically think of where I was and seeing the explosion on TV.

[@opaproductions]

My mom worked in a nursing home at the time and saw the whole thing on tv! She still gets the chills every time someone mentions the challenger launch

[@pixiechick05171971]

I remember this incident. It was devastating as an 8th grader. I can just imagine the impact it had on younger kids. It was horrible and traumatic for everyone that had to witnessed it live.

[@skittles7306]

This disaster is a fundamental childhood memory of mine. I'm so glad you showed pictures and not the actual video. It STILL hurts. ❤ We didn't get to watch at school (poor school problems) so I came home and ended up watching it BY MYSELF. Before that day my career of choice was astronaut. Still love it. Ironically became a teacher instead

[@bellehimechan]

I was born Jan 27th... the launch was supposed to be a distraction for my older siblings while my mom did her thing. Everyone was syked. The launch was postponed - to the day I came home! ...my older siblings - in typical sibling fashion - had me convinced for years I was a bad omen 😅

[@Hanah-179]

We need that cat episode please, I’d love to hear your take on the superstitions people have regarding them being bad luck and what not

[@lucianaromulus1408]

It has roots in the Abrahamic faiths i think. I cant speak for other cultures and heritages, but Pagan Indo Europeans worshipped cats ❤

[@chloesmithwalker7565]

And feature the times cats saved lives

[@carmengarza1232]

I was in the 4th grade when this happened. My teacher was seriously into space and had the classroom set to watch the launch live. She kept the live tv on all day in the classroom, and we were watching the explosion on loop all day.. Even today, the shape the explosion made is burned in my memory.

[@nusratkazi6127]

Can you do a deep dive on the creation of israeli settlements aka how the nation started? a dark history episode would be absolutely crazy!! i believe you are an amazing narrator without any bias regarding these matters

[@meagshouhda6624]

We need an audio clip of the 'Ooooooh, somebody's in trouble.' and make it a ring tone for the boss, lol! Bailey you slay me!

[@WomanOnTheEdgeHog]

Not many things bring me excitement and comfort at the same time these days, but when I see Bailey has a new video it makes me feel like I’m seeing a friend that doesn’t want anything from me and I don’t have to tell them to leave when I’m tired 😂keep filling peoples cups Bailey you’re doing more than you know for everyone 💜 ❤️ all the way from the UK 🥰

[@monique7796]

Wow❤I felt this comment on so many levels!

[@WomanOnTheEdgeHog]

@@monique7796 we all in this together 🫶🏻 keep feeling the feels and fill your soul whenever and however you can ❤

[@juliemaricle6091]

I, too, am floored by the celestial tea thing!! Inquiring minds MUST KNOW!!!!😮

[@hk4evr2]

Same, like what?😮

[@snackbarqueen]

Big Bird is my favorite character from Sesame Street too ! ❤😊 I was 12 years old when the Challenger tragedy happened, I was home sick from school that day and I was watching it all unfold on tv… I remember seeing it explode and at first wasn’t sure what was even happening, but within a few minutes, I knew something horrible had happened 😢 I remember calling my mom at work and asking her if she knew/saw what happened, she had, and we both were very upset….She told me to go lay down and calm down and pray for the astronauts. It was a very very sad day 💔😢 the next time I remember feeling like that was of course on 9/11, which was 100 times worse….

[@DianaMayeDesigns]

I remember that day. I was in school watching it. The teacher turned the tv off really fast. We didn't know what happened at first. I'll never forget it. It's one of those days that you just can't forget.

[@user-rl4qh7cm2z]

I was in social studies and our teacher had us watch it all :( so sad 😞

[@brittanykelly1261]

I remember watching the Challenger launch in 3rd grade at school. Big TVs etc. being wheeled out on carts. All of us kids and teachers were shocked and horrified. I’ll never forget the looks on my teachers’ faces. It was such a sad and scary day.

[@em.b.w]

You need to do a multiple part series over WW2!! Specifically the end, and the atrocities committed by Russian soldiers against German civilians. A War should never end with WAR CRIMES.

[@lucianaromulus1408]

That and the Holodomer

[@PamelaH_HappyVibes]

My Dad was in the Air Force and we lived on Myrtle Beach Air a force Base in the80’s. We named our dog Sputnik. Now that I am an adult it is even funnier that we named our dog after a Russian satellite during the Cold War while living on a US Military Base. My parents sense of humor rocks!

[@VeeMarieS]

Almost 7.3 million followers?! Not bad, Bailey. I’ve been following for years and I haven’t missed a single video. I think we need content with your mom again. It’s been a minute

[@purplerocker76]

I will never forget that day! I always got so excited watching the shuttles launch. I could never watch it live again after that. In north Alabama that day, schools were closed because of ice/snow. It was 2 weeks before my 10th birthday. I could tell something was wrong when we were watching, and when I looked at my Mom and saw tears running down her face, I just lost it! For my generation, it was certainly our first national disaster. My heart still aches thinking of it to this day! 💔

[@jenniebaker2387]

I was in 6th grade when this happened & to this day I remember standing in line in the cafeteria when it was announced. One of those things you never forget.

[@caitlinkennington4073]

I grew up in the largest town near Thiokol. I never knew what part Thiokol played in this disaster until after I left high school ( I was a toddler when the explosion happened - I'm sure children at the time were aware as there were many many layoffs.) It's crazy to me how little I knew about it when my grandmother was a secretary there at the time, my neighbor was the HR VP and I've seen the names of other neighbors in articles about the event!

[@chey3201]

As a former employee of the United States Space and Rocket Center, hearing Bailey talking about space made me feel out!!

[@marinLove.]

Gonna pass my history class with help from bailey

[@sarahnade9947]

Please do a dark history about how corporations control governments and the world. Love you Bailey! ❤

[@The99forever]

I watched the Seconds From Disaster episode on Challenger. My heart just ached for Roger Boisjoly, one of the engineers who desperately tried to stop the launch, when they interviewed him. He was in tears in parts. 20 years later and he was still filled with rage and utterly devastated by what happened.

[@robinbliss6513]

I remember walking into the dining hall of my dorm and the crowd of people gathered around in front of the television, some tearful, mostly silent. It had just happened before I got there and I was confused by all the replays of the crew walking toward the shuttle. I was sure that the other students had misunderstood the situation because, see? there they all are, walking to the ship, alive. Then they cut again to the explosion, and the two solid fuel rockets heading off in different directions. My heart still sinks at the memory.

[@aureliadieckmann8097]

Please do a nickelodeon episode, Bailey. I would love to see your interpretation of the issues and accusations

[@janiebarber5772]

I remember watching this on TV. It was heartbreaking!

[@elizabethabennett973]

This was 5 years before I was born. Born and raised in Florida, my mom had said she had seen the explosion while driving to her shift at Pizza Hut. At the time she lived by the cape where her grandfather worked. She was also listening to it live on the car radio, and she said the silence was deafening. Everyone on the road stopped and got out to look.

[@theresa5227]

I will not ever forget that day and I was in school watching 😢and your right about Generations did watch this on live TV and we are scarred from watching it❤ thanks for doing the video love you Bailey

[@euriditia]

The Challenger Disaster is tragic. Especially when they COULD have attempted to recover them, but they didn't. Those people suffered and suffocated before they died. I cannot imagine the terror.

[@thelittlelenora]

No they didn't.

[@tinaroberts5858]

​@thelittlelenora seriously ???. How do you know?

[@mesquitemagic]

It happened to fast for anyone to do anything.

[@euriditia]

@@thelittlelenora The capsule the crew were inside did not explode immediately. It was ejected and remained intact during the initial disaster and the crew were likely conscious and fully aware something was wrong before they died.

[@nataliemcd9318]

The force of the crew compartment hitting the ocean was so destructive that the precise cause of death for the crew could not be determined. They believe that it's likely that the crew members lost consciousness due to a loss of pressure inside the crew compartment. The loss of pressure could be deadly in itself, even if the crew members were breathing from the air packs. The crew cabin tore loose at 45,000 feet, arced upward to about 65,000 feet, and then began a 2-minute, 45-second plunge to the Atlantic Ocean. Acceleration forces at the time of the breakup were estimated at 12 to 20 Gs for about 2 seconds. If the crew members lost consciousness due to a loss of pressure, they would not have had time to revive as the crew compartment fell into denser air at lower altitudes, then the cabin would have hit the water at about 207 mph, creating a force equal to about 200 times that of gravity. The force of the crew compartment hitting the ocean, which was ''far in excess of the structural limits of the crew compartment or crew survivability levels,’' caused such destruction that the experts were unable to even determine the precise cause of death. There was absolutely no chance of recovering them alive. They would have lost consciousness almost immediately, and most likely didn't wake back up long enough to suffer.

[@AngelusaNobilis]

I remember I was in 2nd grade during the 10th anniversary and I have ADHD so I didn't pay enough attention to realize it hadn't just happened. 9/11 was my generations "Challenger" and I was 12. Even then I didn't know where WTC was. I assumed Nebraska at first, where I live. Bless me and my ADHD.

[@-TotallySaneCatLady-]

Both myself and my Husband were in high school when this happened. It’s honestly burned into my brain. It was live televised for our classroom and was horrifying. Up until this point we were all pretty sheltered. My husband is from New Hampshire and actually knew Christa McAuliffe. His school was devastated.

[@tamsyngagne7001]

I totally remember being in my classroom watching when this disaster happened... such a terrible thing to witness. I can only imagine the pain those families felt watching that day. 💔

[@biancamunoz1009]

Who else is happy to be here ?🖤

[@s.m.386]

Me!

[@Turbulent_Tardis]

Me too!

[@theoriginalbridgetconnors]

Me! 👋

[@WhimsiGlow]

i love learning about so many interesting things from you! you're so well spoken and make everything easy to understand and digest :)

[@FoxRogers]

I remember watching this live in first grade. EVERYONE cried and space shuttle launches were always a point of stress and fascination after

[@jenni-Poo]

I was horrified by the Challenger tragedy. I was in my 2nd year of college, got out of class and straight home to watch the liftoff. It was also my birthday. I think of those souls often. I even went to NH for a family reunion that year and met some of the kids that Christa taught. They were heartbroken.

[@miltoncat]

I was 14 and in 8th grade when Challenger blew up. Announced in cafeteria during lunch…. and cafeteria with hundreds of kids went silent.

[@Emrose93]

Such a horrific story. I can’t imagine watching that live..

[@healingattachment]

I watched it live and yes it was horrific.

[@kellimiller6060]

I was sitting in 11th grade mythology class watching a portable tv the student who sat next to me snuck in. I remember when it blew up, we were at first just looking at each other then we both started to cry. No one else knew what was going on until the next period. I remember sitting in class and being in so much shock. I honestly don’t remember the rest of the day, I was in such a stupor.

[@Atos0520]

This was such a sad episode. SO many disasters could have been prevented if they listened to the scientists... My job just did a session on NASA space exploration, so it was perfect timing!

[@isis08131]

When the Challenger disaster happened, over an entire year, our school was all in on NASA and space travel. We had a lottery to pick one of our teachers to apply to go up, half of the students were taking classes that would carry over into college to become astronauts. When the disaster happened, every classroom had a tv to watch and the shock and cries heard were awful. Therapists were brought in for the students and teachers. And not one child wanted to become an astronaut after that.😢

[@Dana_at_LAX]

I am here and you posted 1 minute ago HOW AM I THIS EARLY BAILEY?????

[@michellebarak3873]

I remember I was in high school, home sick. Watching live on TV. I cried once I realized what happened. It was, a most preventable tragedy.

[@user-cn4wp1ht3x]

😢 I remember watching this live on TV.... It was such a shock 😲 that no one wanted to accept what we were watching! It was truly heart breaking 💔 and was something that stayed with us.... Thanks Bailey for bringing this tragic story to us that should remind 😔 😢 us to always appreciate every moment we have with those we love ❤️. Love you lots my friend ❤️ 💕!

[@shannonscelza8915]

My school had a program where every week for two days out of the week we would go to a NASA learning program and learn a bunch of different things about how planes and rocket ships work and alot of science it was so fun I feel blessed to have had this ❤🎉

[@gracefulrufedges4155]

Hi Bailey! (I love your name btw!) I don't do this often, comment that is, however, I have been binge watching your videos, and I was compelled to share some thoughts and give some well deserved positive feedback for you. I will condense my comments, as I'm sure you have a plethora to keep you occupied. KZbin has been my friend since my daughter was killed after Christmas 2021. It, if nothing else, got me out of my head for a while. When I happened across your channel, my ADHD was full throttle, but you held my attention from start to finish! So far, my fav. Episode is the Josephine Baker 2 parter. You told her story so well, I'm sure she gave you a thumbs up! You deliver your content with a phenomenal blend of real feeling, humor, reverence, sassiness, and warmth. Have you done anything about the Brown vs. Board of Education ruling for desegregation & civil rights? I was raised in Topeka, KS. and went to school at Sumner Elementary ( where Linda Brown was supposed to attend) I met Ms. Brown and I think she would have liked you. Just saying you do justice to whatever topic you discuss. I love your individuality, your enthusiasm, and that you say what needs to be said (even though KZbin admin. has decided that they don't have to observe the constitution, and choose to cater to the lowest common denominator...UGH!) I appreciate you!! Oh! I was wondering where your theme song is from? I know it, but not sure where from, but I would "sing" that whenever my kids and I were embarking on some adventure. It's very fitting for you!!

[@HollyC3425]

I was in school that day, watching it on TV. So tragic. So silent for the rest of the day. 😢

[@kayciel3268]

I was a senior in high school in NH and had stayed home from school that day sick. I watched the shuttle launch, saw the explosion and cried.

[@apathydisastrophe]

Just finished Swoop Too's new video and now Bailey post?? Glass of wine #2 let's gooooo

[@monique7796]

Yay! Swoop posted too? Thanks.

[@shruthikailavarasu2161]

bailey! im an engineering student and I learned about this earlier this semester. Thank you for spreading such important information to the rest of as well who don't get the chance to educate themselves on these topics. Very well explained, not complicated at all :)) ur amazing

[@Believeinanything1]

My dad remembers watching both the apollo 18 moon landing, and the challenger disaster as a kid.

[@theoriginalbridgetconnors]

I think you mean Apollo 11, not Apollo 18.

[@allif445]

Dude 28 seconds is a new record!

[@ravenwaters2770]

First like. First comment. LOVE THE POD!! 🤍☠️

[@PaigeD_13]

I just watched the doc about this on Netflix today. I can't understand the logic behind knowing the inevitable and "taking the risk" as its been stated. They were so adamant about staying on schedule that they knowingly ruined 7 families in the process for many years to come. This tragedy has struck something in my heart, thank you Bailey as always for your coverage❤

[@ComatoseCupcake]

I was born in 1990 and my name is Christa. A lot of people when I was growing up thought I was named after Christa McAuliffe. When I was little it used to annoy me, because I wasn't named for her, but when I was older and I learned about her and the Challenger tragedy, I'm proud to share her name.

[@brxn98]

Happy Dark History Thursday 🖤🖤

[@raerae7816]

I need to know more about NASA

[@trivinia]

I always wonder how the kids who nominated McCauliff dealt with the tragedy. Like, imagine essentially sending your favorite teacher to their death.

[@maryb2311]

I was in high school when the Challenger exploded. I remember standing outside with other students and how a hush felt over our class. Everyone then screamed and were crying loudly. It's one thing to see it on TV and another to see it live in person. I live close to NASA so we ALWAYS watched outside.

[@Claireannette77]

My mom’s teacher was almost picked!

[@heavenjb]

This was crazy!! I think I was a senior or jr in hs and it was so surreal like we hadn’t really seen any major disasters yet in our childhood! Thx for your telling of History! Love it

[@veronicaroque1164]

That Grimace comment has me jacked up!!! Guess I will be Googling along with you and Alice down a rabbit hole.

[@TerryPursley-iu3ky]

It was a sacrifice on purpose

[@Conuremum]

I remember watching it LIVE in school up in Canada, was crazy and so sad!

[@catsordogs_lh]

I was in high school when this happened... I'll never forget it, saw it live...

[@susanmolyneux2193]

Bailey, please do a deep dive on the "moon landing" lots of holes in that story, maybe you could shed some light Doll 🎉

[@Ebichuchu]

In 5th grade in my school, we actually DID learn about the Challenger Disaster because every 5th grade class took a field trip to a science center meant to commemorate the lives lost. On it, we would pretend to be part of a space crew and act as ground control and then get to go into a simulation of a space shuttle and everyone always looked forward to that trip

[@maryannrusso4423]

I remember watching it live. I was in my 20’s at the time. I was in shock when this happened, but I did not know all this. Bailey this was very informative so thank you.