Space Shuttle Challenger disaster January 28, 1986: Original Eyewitness News coverage

[@julietteyork6293]

I can’t imagine their children and spouses witnessing this nightmare

[@julietteyork6293]

@@hlbgaming2422 Being a sociopath is nothing to be proud of.

[@hlbgaming2422]

@@julietteyork6293 no I just like explosions I've played Gmod for 248 hours in total

[@julietteyork6293]

@@hlbgaming2422 You do realize people were killed, and their loved ones had to watch in real time? Your parents need to take action in order for you to develop a conscience. Too much time online playing video games has turned you into a soulless thing.

[@Tartacobell]

@@hlbgaming2422It was deadly, people were killed.

[@hlbgaming2422]

@@Tartacobell 🙂

[@SandorClegane420]

We watched it live in my 4th grade class. I'll never forget it.

[@nolanwalls9894]

Yup me too

[@Meangreenmonstermachine]

You too old for that pfp bro

[@SandorClegane420]

@@Meangreenmonstermachine I'm 46. Stop sleeping in math class.

[@ilike747planes]

My teacher did

[@zyourzgrandzmaz]

​@@Meangreenmonstermachineyou realize people aging doesn't make them different people. My 96 year old grandfather used to smoke juicy j blunts and watch adventure time with me when I was like 19 and hed make better jokes than anyone. A 96 year old is just a dude who's been alive for like 76 years longer than everyone else around. He'd been in war etc helped save the last supper mural by stacking sandbags around it.

[@leslieluciano777]

I was in elementary school in Seminole, FL. The teachers had us outside because we could see the shuttle. I was too young to understand what I was seeing, but I'll never forget seeing the smoke. The teachers were crying and quickly took us back inside.

[@Theguywhoreallyjustrhymed]

I was a wittle sperm cell in my dads quizzicles

[@pastacurls]

This is my fifth grade memory as well. We were all standing outside watching it from Tampa. After the explosion… I remember us going inside to see what was happening on the TV and the teachers all crying.

[@eorlover72]

One of my core childhood memories, i remember exactly where i was when it happened

[@thatderangedbunny]

Will be forever etched in my memory for sure 😢

[@jaymesnin]

Kinda like 9/11. Now a days no one watches cable television. Most people don't even know we're basically at war with Russia right now. More worried about what someone posted on Facebook. An see a billion advertisements

[@Mikevdog]

Yep

[@mightyben4310]

sir that is not a memory its a nightmare

[@lauren578]

True

[@jonathangallegos6372]

The external fuel tank exploded from a seal that couldn't handle the cold conditions of a launch and they launched it anyway, the seal broke, eventually burning a hole through the tank igniting it, the crew is believed to have survived the explosion but not the impact when it fell, that's what continues going after the explosion

[@stevenbeach748]

Not exactly. Nothing exploded because there was no shockwave. The booster rocket developed a leak and burned through its lower mount. That might have been ok actually except the shuttle was encountering wind shear. The lower mount broke and caused the rocket to crash its tip into the top of the external tank. At that speed the external tank and orbiter broke up almost immediately

[@steverapposelli6104]

As always. Money

[@panicbuyflax3461]

Who are you, Richard Feynman?

[@iitzfizz]

Yeah it was a deflagration, the flash was from gasses mixing and burning - assuming they survived the in flight break up, they died when they hit the water

[@Albo96286]

O ring patrol fail.

[@jdice6868]

This was horrifying. I remember it well.

[@truepatriots3860]

Same here .

[@stevenroberts970]

Im sorry thr lost thet i fnt fink it was Sabatier its a leaking fuel or something

[@Frindow]

@@stevenroberts970never said she lost anyone

[@jdice6868]

@@stevenroberts970 It was an "O-ring" that overheated. A small inexpensive part cost the lives of everyone on board while the country watched. Sad, but that is usually the case.We don't truly understand the complexity of such a venture. I was in Florida at my mother-in-law's condo during the final shuttle launch (though I believe they have either brought back the program since or begun a new one). I watched from the beach (Cocoa Beach)as it disappeared into the sky and ran inside to confirm on a live news cable channel that there was no disaster further up than I could see. My kids were a bit surprised at my need to confirm that they were ok like that, but I was in HS when he Challenger exploded. It isn't something you forget.

[@MamaMia84oo7]

I wasn’t even 2 years old when it happened. How sad.

[@lisamarshall9194]

I was 16 watching it in my history class at school. I will never forget it

[@MoHawk_1970]

Same here, 16 years old watching this in Pittsburgh public High school. We were initially told that the crew burned up during the explosion…… that was not the case!

[@sumeetbeniwal6365]

@@MoHawk_1970 yeah they survived then fell into the water and drowned to death. Can’t imagine how horrifying it was

[@lmfao7558]

@@sumeetbeniwal6365Nope, when they hit the water the bodies became dismembered.

[@nicolatesla5786]

​@@sumeetbeniwal6365highly unlikely add that altitude they would have passed out from hypoxia

[@sumeetbeniwal6365]

@@nicolatesla5786 passed out isn’t the same thing. Yeah they did pass out, but they were just incapacitated. They were alive when they hit the water. But they drowned and then died.

[@ritabarnes2440]

I was watching with my students in my classroom. Will never forget that sad day.

[@4KI75E4NN]

I’m from Germany. I was 11 years old. And it’s my mums birthday on 28th January. We were watching the start on TV waiting for the guests to come to the birthday party. It was very sad and strange for me to see the accident on TV. I couldn’t believe it is true. RIP astronauts. 😢

[@Princess-xq8ks]

❤

[@HOECrew]

That’s crazy bro me and my daughter have same bday as your mom

[@invismith4576]

They are still alive

[@borntoclimb7116]

I wanst born But i remember the 2003 disaster

[@johncitizen3927]

The people who made it said, DONT LAUNCH, TO COLD.

[@zydration3538]

They proposed a toast?

[@ms.c3]

So sad 😞 I was at work that fatal day and saw this on TV.

[@BrenMurphy1]

Guns don't kill people, space shuttles do.

[@gracieg7601]

I was at work too. My husband called me. He was a aero space engineer at Lockheed Martin. He was so tore up. My husband passed in 2001.

[@ms.c3]

@@gracieg7601 I’m so sorry 😞 for your loss. Know your husband is at peace.

[@Tony-rl2fr]

Same here. I was a mechanic, we had a TV in the waiting room. Watched in disbelief.

[@choppalungon]

@@BrenMurphy1 which one kills more, though?

[@JoboMcFakeAF]

People just stunned.. the poor families of the crew..🇺🇸❤

[@harleminthebuildn9234]

I'LL NEVER FORGET THIS DAY

[@chrisbush5965]

I was 6 years old back in 86 i remeber my mom holding me and she said oh no!!! 😢 i am 43 years old now in 2023.. may they RIP after 37 years😢

[@michaeldriskell2038]

Such a tragic day. 😥 R.I.P. Brave folks. We, your countrymen, mourned you .😢

[@johnzwicker9717]

I was 9. Will never forget this..

[@87ferrarif40]

I remember watching this at school, as a kid. The teacher walked over to the TV, and shut it off.

[@E_4_N]

My teacher just explained her experience with us today and said her teachers did the exact same thing

[@thatderangedbunny]

Same! Ours had the TV on one of those cart things to push between rooms and I’ll never forget she shut it off and quickly pushed it out of the room crying….

[@justinb6379]

​@@thatderangedbunny Yes , I remember that cart with the old school TV . I was in the 3rd grade ! I was shocked the whole day .!

[@thatderangedbunny]

@@justinb6379 lol that cart and that overhead projector 📽️ohh the 80s!😌

[@jasongates3039]

Bro what a B

[@DanielLee-zu5hy]

My mother watched it in class and saw the disaster live... r.i.p ❤

[@lauramurray9148]

Remember this very well. Will never forget. God rest their souls.

[@NorbertoFontanez]

I was a member of that US NAVY rescue team, and it was my first rescue operation. I wasn't 21 yet. Some people say they remember and I wish I could forget. RIP Challenger STS-51 and your Crew of brave souls🇺🇸🫡

[@Roselady7]

Wow! Sorry for your experience. It was a loss in all our hearts. I was in grade school sitting in art class. It was devastating.

[@NorbertoFontanez]

@@Roselady7 don't be sorry, I'm NOT it's just that it was the beginning of '86 and everything was SO peaceful on our Naval Base that morning. I had Mess Duty when we got the alert call from NTCC Little Creek... It must've been devastating for you at such a tender age... I hope you're not suffering from the trauma. ... I'm STILL a total wreck after all these years.... good communicating with you kiddo be safe, and STAY safe 🤙😎🥃

[@lmfao7558]

I read about you found. I’m sorry you had to see that, but thank you for retrieving what was left of the astronauts. I’m sure their families are grateful.

[@NorbertoFontanez]

@@lmfao7558 thank you for your concern but don't feel sorry for me. I volunteered, and I knew the danger that went with the job. That's the reason why I was interested in enlisting....as for the astronaut's family? I don't know if NASA divulged the truth about the REAL INCIDENT!!! Pardon me if I seen dislected but I sedated myself with Jackie Daniels 🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃

[@CarolFloyd-n1s]

I saw this in real life. So confusing and complete sadness. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. 😢

[@sheilabyrum8877]

Traumatizing I'm sure

[@hureak1456]

@@sheilabyrum8877 I Guess

[@schuylerjohnson6217]

I was outside and saw this disaster live and I remember later the announcer said We have no downwind. Cold flat expressionless voice

[@Thehoneybeegod]

"I remember when it happened, I was so scared" -Little Timmy born in 2015

[@triumphiztation]

😳 Me too. I haven't been outside since.

[@vincenturbina]

what's the joke...

[@Ham-x6x]

@@vincenturbinayk idk

[@anticom6099]

@@vincenturbinait happened in 1986

[@zydration3538]

"I forgot what happens when you assume" - Thehoneywhatever

[@Firulaisk]

I WAS 9 YEARS OLD AND THIS DISASTER REMAINS IN MY MEMORY. IT WAS A TERRIBLE DAY.

[@peterlorenzo615]

Millions of dollars….hundreds of engineers…..and couldn’t figure out what a high school kid would know….extreme cold makes rubber shrink and brittle

[@sultanofsauce9816]

Not even. There’s a whole report on it, the engineers responsible for upkeep on the shuttles specifically told them the O-Rings couldn’t tolerate the conditions they were trying to launch in, not to mention the components were being overstressed from too many flights. NASA officials received this information and proceeded to completely disregard their professional reports and opinions because they didn’t want to deal with the bad PR that accompanies extended launch delays.

[@atomicalien4]

I love when random dumbasses try to sound smart on the internet

[@RealMephres]

​@@atomicalien4Are they wrong? If not, why insult them?

[@lj8666]

This is true. I seen a documentary here on KZbin it describes in detail of what went wrong and how it was ignored.

[@alexwisniewski2309]

@@atomicalien4It’s true. And the nasa higher-ups purposefully chose PR over the lives of the human beings in the shuttle. How were they not charged with negligent homicide? They acted irresponsibly in a way that killed 7 people. If I did that at a warehouse job, I’d be fired and charged with 7 counts of negligent homicide or involuntary manslaughter.

[@antonraterman2281]

I heard Tom Brokaw on the radio at work. I could tell from the tone on the radio that something bad had happened. I was 23 at the time. I remember getting home that afternoon and watching it for the first time. My father was in his rocking chair and told me he watched it live.

[@stevendaniel8126]

Live witness here..... Never forget. 😊

[@brandonray4379]

I couldn't imagine dying that way. The biggest loud explosion jump scare out of nowhere then falling 50,000 ft back to earth at top speed. That explosion would've been even bigger had it been closer and the noise would've been immensely loud.

[@tericaclark4871]

I'll never forget that day 😥😥😥😥💔💔💔

[@StephenBarrie-c4e]

My God, How awfull, such tragedy, God Bless the crew and families.

[@richardwilliams3392]

Imagine being inside this shuttle..then imagine the family who was there and at home watching .truly heartbreaking

[@jennifercroes7113]

kids in 1986 That were watching this were problem having Nightmares And I watched this at 24 And ask sad how a teacher died and others Rest In Peace❤❤ Astrounats

[@NEnigma777]

You’re correct. It still haunts me to this day and I was so young when this happened. Too young to comprehend a lot of things but not too young where I didn’t realize something went terribly wrong. Of course my mother’s tears helped me realize that too :/

[@amberstreetfilms]

"Obviously a major malfunctioning"..not really comforting words to anyone. 😢

[@KathyFreeman-g4z]

I remember watching this on TV. It was so sad😢😢😢

[@donaldknitter6978]

I was home on a snow day from school and watched it with my mom. I'll never forget it. Same with 9/11

[@kennethbrooks8505]

This was the first national disaster of my lifetime that I can remember. Almost everyone was very shaken. Upon further reflection, I can recall that my grandfather was still alive at this time although he was still quite ill with the brain cancer that would eventually kill him. I only had my grandfather for 8 and a 1/2 years. I do have some good memories of him. I love him and miss him very much. 😓

[@MagneticVR]

my mom was in one of the crew members daughters class. They were in 5th grade class watching it live on TV. Then it happened. It exploded. She felt and still feels so bad for the daughter and the 7 lives lost. I can’t believe this could’ve been avoided too.

[@MariaRamirez-df1st]

it still gives me chills!!😢😢😢😢😢

[@nhunter4498]

I was 7 years old in the first grade in daytona beach fl, our teacher took us outside to watch the shuttles launch, we did not understand what just happened but our teacher covered her mouth and understandably upset told us to go back into the classrooms, something I’ll never forget…

[@jasonlovern2322]

I remember standing out in the cold on my elementary school kickball field watching the Challenger disaster unfold.

[@ChungKang]

I was in elementary school in Houston, tx and I remember exactly when it happened on the tv they rolled in to watch it!

[@ronthatus]

I still remember this as if it was yesterday. Very sad day

[@magnum8264]

Iwas watching live! still gives me chills!

[@LalaLarrieux]

We watched this I'm class in 3rd grade. I remember crying and my teacher crying because she was friends with the teacher on the shuttle.

[@GeraldMcveigh]

I remember watching this ,..I was in 5th grade, we were watching it with my science teacher, she was a space fan... our whole class was stunned 😲 😯....rest in peace Kristen McCullough 🙏

[@larryburnette8679]

man how I remember that day My wife and I We were watching it having coffee watching then it exploded The only thing I remember after that was my wife and I hugging each other crying

[@Bobbyspurs3002]

My mum showed me this a year ago and i was shocked. I had no idea what happened. Rip To the people on the Rocket

[@jesuschristlovesyou5428]

Can you explain

[@MC-poet]

I was 7 when this happened. I'll always remember it as the day my innocence died. RIP to the heroes who died that day.

[@lancasterbristow9410]

Euope 'Final Countdown' will always bring us back to this memory. The day Challenger crew left this dimension.

[@prissypants2336]

I remember watchung it live and the shock with heartache of this disaster..our nation surely mourned 😢

[@najamhayatmughal]

I was 4, I couldn't watch that live bcoz I was in Pakistan. I am watching it now and feeling very sad for the incident

[@MichaelGronski]

I was @ work watching this.. Super Sad!😢

[@RobertL.JonesJr-hz8vl]

RIP to all our men and women Astronauts who have been lost from Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia. And my Prayers and Condolences to their Families on the loss of their Loved ones. 😢🎉❤

[@patriciathomas6627]

I was young at that time.but I still remember when that happened🙏

[@scottmcclure8933]

This was on my wife’s birthday…our local school system was out due to snow….my science teacher was a finalist to be the first in space, as well. It devastated all of us.

[@Clyde-2055]

I’m betting your science teacher was more than just devastated …

[@seanmolloy6188]

I remember being in 5th grade when this happened, watching it live in the morning before school. Then we spent the entire day doing nothing but watching news broadcast on it, and they replayed the explosion probably every 5 or 10 minutes.

[@Excercity]

rest in peace you guys did a great job ❤😢

[@silverdrillpickle7596]

I remember exactly where I was when I learned of this: Student Union, St Phillips College, San Antonio. A tenured professor told me and we watched together. Clear and chilly day. Somber and sad experience for everyone.

[@agentmual]

Rest in peace to the people who died

[@BenjaminGonzalez-s4j]

I was 15 years young now I'm 52 and remember like it was yesterday

[@kaleimaile]

You were not 15 back in ‘86 if you are 52 now. You would have been 13 @ that time going on 14. I am 52 & I was 13 in January 1986.

[@eliseogarcia1024]

I vividly remember thus sad day.

[@victorhoe2321]

THIS Challenger explosion happened the second day I started my job at DEC CXO3 in Colorado Springs. Always remember that sad day.

[@stewartj3407]

You sure it wasn’t the OTHER challenger explosion?

[@andynieuwenhuis7833]

They WERE CLEARLY, SPECIFICALLY TOLD, to WAIT for the rubber SEALS to expand to PROPERLY SEAL, the connector for the Fuel lines on the Bosters.

[@shareenawilson6883]

I remember watching this as a child, I could not sleep that night. This was a sad tragedy.

[@brianvanwagner4802]

My biology teacher back in New Hampshire was second in line behind her. We watched it in class he didn't take it too well.

[@TheMarkieGoodBoy]

No escape system could have saved them, but prevention is the best cure. NASA knew the danger of launching in cold temperatures and decided to launch anyway, resulting in the failure of O-rings in the SRB and the loss of vehicle and crew

[@andrewenglish3810]

Saw this too in grade school.

[@bettyboop3353]

There are experts who can supply documentation of their opinion that the people in the capsule survived the explosion and were alive and awake during the descent of the capsule into the water. They say the people died when they hit the water. I can’t imagine the terror these people endured during this time even if it was relatively short. I believe we were told that the people were dead after the explosion so we and their families would not understand what really happened to them. 😢😢

[@thomascarpenter7415]

I was watching this live on a battery powered mini tv , Fort Bragg NC … Area J. We were in the field and it was frigid… we were stunned when it happened , RIP C Co. 1/325 Mortar Platoon

[@silverdrillpickle7596]

🫡

[@POlin-qs1um]

Hey Boss,,,I saw Ft. Bragg mentioned. I have a few yrs.with Cherry Pt.,,Ground School & Flight lessons at Beaufort nc,,,Home of Mike Smith.R.i.p. meeting his brother there was an Honer. Landing gear on display at local school. Take care.

[@marliemunez]

The space shuttle got launch and it speed in 2,000mph and exploded

[@kasewindu7049]

I remember this like it was yesterday. So sad.

[@johnallen9917]

A day that i will never forget. So sad!!!

[@Peace4ever-z6c]

R.i.p all off Them Tey were heros❤❤❤

[@JukkaCantDrift]

-Little Timmy 5 yrs old

[@mitchchapman7545]

Why were they heroes?

[@GA-fz2wt]

I was 12 & remember it well. Never forgotten. 😢

[@geoffcoates8671]

“Some of the seven men aboard”? There were five men and TWO women . Judith Resnik a Mission Specialist and Christa McAuiliffe a Payload Specialist and who was to be the first teacher in space.

[@phillipandruckov2525]

go cry about it

[@vibewouldknow6822]

​@@phillipandruckov2525what's wrong with you?

[@bigships]

@@vibewouldknow6822the original commenter is being picky

[@geoffcoates8671]

@@bigships I’m NOT being “picky” I’m being RESPECTFUL. And if you can’t acknowledge why I’m being respectful then you need to have a few lessons on respect and compassion.

[@hawksquadron7302]

I mean, it's fair: There was 2 women aboard and it's cool to see strong, smart women. Not any snowflake shit, but really, it's good to highlight women and men for their respective efforts@@bigships

[@deborahabernathy1757]

I'll never forget!

[@Jenrmegamind]

1986 hereos = Forever Rip God damn

[@robert2628]

The Weather was too Cold for The Shuttle to have been launched that day.

[@Royyaaaal]

“Obviously a malfunction” well no shit Sherlock

[@amberstreetfilms]

Right? I thought the same thing.

[@Thegaminator348]

TIL Big Bird was almost on the Challenger. Caroll Spinney said yes to being asked if he wanted to do it, but NASA backed out because it was too hard to fit an 8’2 bird on the spacecraft.

[@LOLMAN9538]

So if they hadn't, Big Bird would be no more.

[@samonmich6595]

I live in Dallas and heard the boom. Never forget it!

[@ami2evil]

That's not possible, this was in Florida...

[@ami2evil]

That's not possible, this was in Florida...

[@vintvarner16]

​@@ami2evil okay I'm glad I wasn't the only one thinking that no way you could hear it from several states away

[@penntemp]

That was thunder.

[@sweetjrewing5435]

‼️‼️ My granddaddy lives in japan he said he heard it.

[@OGRDawg]

I was watching this live in my highschool history class.

[@noob_is_cool_2006]

-sir theres a problem... what is it? -The shuttle can't go in icey and snowy condicions *launches it anyways* -its going to explode While that in the shuttle: uh oh *really glitched audio* *no more sound*

[@saralancour]

The most sad moment in life

[@TheJJr_]

​@@saralancournah

[@tericaclark4871]

Yep it was too cold and they were warned to scrub that launch but they didn't

[@youlllog9627]

I was in 8th grade at the time, my former 7th grade teacher tried out for this Teacher in Space program - exciting at the time, but obviously thankful he wasnt chosen. We sat and watched this liftoff live. I loved watching these launches on TV, saw Discovery launch in person in June '85. When this explosion happened I immediately knew this wasn't right - and just blurted out "did it just blow up!?!" Teacher scolded me, thinking I was being a smarta**. Then seeing the external rockets fly out of control, it sadly just seemed obvious. Still shocking to no end. eh...total gut punch. I THOUGHT there was some kind of ejection pod and maybe they were ok, but no. When mission control made the statement "the vehicle has exploded", teacher just turned the TV off. It was a catholic school...so we immediately said a prayer.

[@TheSportsKingYT]

My math teacher said her teacher was second in line to go on the challenger, I can’t imagine what she went through thinking, that could have been my teacher.

[@embree11307]

Wow, I wasn't alive when this happened but I guarantee it was shocking.

[@dylpickle6123]

Wow! Your teacher must be a professional gaslighter

[@ericdickson2065]

What was your math teachers name? Don’t google it.

[@crazyenjoyer756]

They all didn't expected this to happen although RIP to all Crew members 😭😭🙏

[@1moredayof]

I always loved the Nasa launches. This was so sad and depressing.

[@dorothywalters7448]

Super sad day in history. RIP.....

[@bigal1337]

Way to go management! God rest their souls!

[@bradmull9256]

What a.sad day.😮😮

[@IAAAGENT]

This was the first ocean gate incident

[@maryans.858]

R.I.P🙏🥀🇲🇰

[@america_is_goated]

Imagine being a kid in 1986, and you're watching that, live. On TV. That would be shocking.

[@NEnigma777]

I was and I did. I was so confused and my mom was in utter shock. Sad thing is I wanted to be an astronaut but this ruined it for me

[@durn210]

I remember I was in first grade it was cold and there was alot of snow on the ground from that night. Dad was going to take us to school that day and I remember him and mom watching the television seeing this with my 6 year old self watching this unfold . Vivid memories of such a disaster.

[@i_am_west_10]

That’s insane lol I was 5 in kindergarten I remember it like yesterday

[@N8wesley]

I was in third grade in Kissimmee Florida at Thacker avenue elementary standing out in the p.e. Field as we did with every shuttle launch I remember we just stood there staring at the sky for what seemed like forever until the screams and crying started that was the last shuttle launch that was viewed from the p.e. Field at Thacker ave elementary from then on out we watched it on the tv

[@brooklyn_716]

I remember this like it was yesterday.

[@goingmyway1071]

They could have been saved … they could have had a lifesaving design… Their capsule could have had a parachute 🪂 to slow down

[@TheBeingReal]

At Mach 1.92 no parachute works.

[@stevenbeach748]

Since the orbiter broke up it’s likely the part with the shoot would have been damaged.

[@shaunjeff45]

That space shuttle disaster was the result of NASA management avoided safety concerns for profitable investors.

[@tericaclark4871]

74 seconds to be exact 😥😥💔💔💔

[@jeraleewood5969]

Big Bird was asked to be on this flight. His size was too big so they went with a teacher. RIP Crew