NASA
History of the Space Shuttle
Entry portal to NASA's site on the background and history of the Space Shuttle.
NASA
Nasa: Information on the Sts 51 L Challenger Accident
The mission profile of the Challenger accident, including the sequence of events, images and movie clips, crew profiles, and the report of the Presidential Commission.
![Texas a & M University: The Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster [Pdf] Lesson Plan](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Texas a & M University: The Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster [Pdf] Lesson Plan")
Texas A&M University
Texas a & M University: The Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster [Pdf]
Although this is an instructor guide, there is much information here regarding the Challenger disaster. Students are instructed to consider the engineering ethics that came into question after the disaster. What could have been done...
New York Times
New York Times: On This Day: On This Day: The Shuttle Explodes
A copy of the New York Times January 28, 1986 edition headlining the horrific explosion of Space Shuttle Challenger.
CommonLit
Common Lit: "Ronald Reagan on the Challenger Disaster" by President Ronald Reagan
President Ronald Reagan delivered this speech to the grieving nation on January 28, 1986, when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after liftoff, leading to the death of its seven crew members. A specific purpose for reading...
NASA
Nasa: Astronaut Biography: Francis R. (Dick) Scobee
NASA's official biography of Dick Scobee, the commander of the Challenger spacecraft which exploded after launch.
NASA
Nasa: Astronaut Biography: Michael J. Smith
The official NASA biography of Michael J. Smith, the pilot on the Challenger which exploded shortly after launch.
NASA
Nasa: Astronaut Biography: Ronald E. Mc Nair, ph.d
Official NASA biography of Ronald McNair, the mission specialist on the Challenger spacecraft which exploded shortly after launch.
NASA
Nasa: Astronaut Biography: Ellison S. Onizuka
Official NASA biography of Ellison S. Onizuka, the mission specialist on the Challenger spacecraft which exploded shortly after launch.
NASA
Nasa: Astronaut Biography: Gregory B. Jarvis
Official NASA biography of Gregory B. Jarvis, the payload specialist for the Challenger. He was on board when the Challenger exploded in 1986.
NASA
Nasa: Astronaut Biography: Judith A. Resnik, ph.d.
The official NASA biography for Judith A. Resnik who was the mission specialist on board the Challenger spacecraft when it exploded in 1986.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Eyes on the Stars
On January 28, 1986, NASA Challenger mission STS-51-L ended in tragedy when the shuttle exploded 73 seconds after takeoff. On board was physicist Ronald E. McNair, who was the second African American to enter space. But first, he was a...
Other
Framingham: Christa Mc Auliffe
A short biography of Christa McAuliffe from her home town. A famous painting of McAuliffe is also provided.
PBS
Pbs Newshour Extra: Space Shuttle Challenger Tragedy
To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the explosion of the Challenger, PBS provides an article that describes the repercussions of the disaster.
Other
Metro West Daily News: Space Shuttle Challenger Explosion Still Vivid
Many people still remember exactly where they were when they either were actually watching it or heard about it - the Challenger explosion. After all these years, the memories still inspire hope for the future. Here are some notes on the...
US National Archives
Docsteach: Watching What?
Students will hypothesize what the president and cabinet members were watching on television by analyzing facial expressions, and body language, and the physical environment. Students will learn that President Ronald Reagan and his staff...
American Rhetoric
American Rhetoric: Ronald Reagan: Space Shuttle "Challenger" Tragedy Address
This is the text, audio, and video [2:37] of President Ronald Reagan's tribute speech after the Space Shuttle "Challenger" tragedy on January 28, 1986. The crew of the Challenger Seven who died were Michael Smith, Dick Scobee, Judith...
A&E Television
History.com: Challenger Explosion: How Groupthink and Other Causes Led to the Tragedy
Seven lives were lost as communications failed in the face of public pressure to proceed with the launch despite dangerously cold conditions. January 28, 1986, The sun had been up for less than an hour and air temperatures were a few...
Seymour Brody
Jewish Heroes in America: Judith Resnik
This site has a biography of Astronaut Judith Resnik who was the second woman to travel in space.