Space Shuttle Challenger disaster
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When the United States Space Shuttle Challenger disintegrated shortly after takeoff on January 28, 1986, it was the worst United States space disaster up to that point, in that it was the first disaster resulting in multiple human deaths.
The crew comprised seven astronaunts, including one civilian "space participant", the much-celebrated schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe . All were killed.
There were extensive investigations into the cause of the disaster and the deaths of the astronauts. The U.S. space shuttle program was suspended for over two years.
The crew were:
- Francis "Dick" Scobee , Commander
- Michael J. Smith, Pilot
- Judith Resnik, Mission Specialist
- Ellison Onizuka, Mission Specialist
- Ronald McNair, Mission Specialist
- Gregory Jarvis, Payload Specialist
- Sharon Christa McAuliffe, Spaceflight Participant (Teacher in Space Program)