NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Space Shuttle Challenger

Space Shuttle Challenger (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-099) was NASA's second Space Shuttle orbiter to be put into service, Columbia being the first. Its maiden flight was on April 4, 1983, and it completed nine missions before breaking apart 73 seconds after the launch of its tenth mission, STS-51-L on January 28, 1986, killing all seven crew members. (For more on the Challenger disaster, see Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.) Challenger was replaced by the space shuttle Endeavour which made its first flight in 1992, six years after the disaster. Image File history File links Challenger_Launch. ... The launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger on mission 51L/STS-33, the 25th of the STS (Space Transportation System) program, began at an estimated time of 16:38:00. ... Each NASA space shuttle designation is composed of a prefix and suffix separated by a dash. ... is the 207th day of the year (208th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The fifth HMS Challenger (launched 1858) was a steam assisted British naval corvette. ... STS-6 was a space shuttle mission by NASA using the Space Shuttle Challenger, launched April 4, 1983. ... is the 94th day of the year (95th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 99th day of the year (100th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ... The launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger on mission 51L/STS-33, the 25th of the STS (Space Transportation System) program, began at an estimated time of 16:38:00. ... is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... For further information about Challengers mission and crew, see STS-51-L. The iconic image of Space Shuttle Challengers smoke plume after its breakup 73 seconds after launch. ... is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) (IPA [ËˆnÃ¦sÉ™]) is an agency of the United States government, responsible for the nations public space program. ... Each NASA space shuttle designation is composed of a prefix and suffix separated by a dash. ... This article is about the space vehicle. ... Space Shuttle Columbia (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-102) was the first spaceworthy space shuttle in NASAs orbital fleet. ... is the 94th day of the year (95th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ... The launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger on mission 51L/STS-33, the 25th of the STS (Space Transportation System) program, began at an estimated time of 16:38:00. ... is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... For further information about Challengers mission and crew, see STS-51-L. The iconic image of Space Shuttle Challengers smoke plume after its breakup 73 seconds after launch. ... Space Shuttle Orbiter Endeavour (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-105), is the fifth and final operational NASA space shuttle. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ...

History

Challenger was named after HMS Challenger, a British corvette warship which carried out a pioneering global marine research expedition in the 1870s.^[1] The fifth HMS Challenger (launched 1858) was a steam assisted British naval corvette. ... French steam corvette Dupleix (1856-1887) Canadian corvettes on antisubmarine convoy escort duty during World War II. A corvette is a small, maneuverable, lightly armed warship, smaller than a frigate and larger than a coastal patrol craft. ... The Challenger Expedition was a scientific expedition that made many discoveries to lay the foundation of oceanography. ...

Construction

The shuttle was constructed using a body frame (STA- 099) that had initially been built as a test article. STA-099 was not originally intended for spaceflight, but NASA found that recycling it would be less expensive than refitting the test shuttle Enterprise (OV-101) to be spaceworthy, as originally planned. The Space Shuttle Enterprise (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-101) was the first Space Shuttle built for NASA. It was constructed without engines or a functional heat shield, and was therefore not capable of space operations; its purpose was to perform test flights in the atmosphere. ...

Challenger (and the orbiters built after it) had fewer tiles in its Thermal Protection System than Columbia. Most of the tiles on the payload bay doors, upper wing surface and rear fuselage surface were replaced with DuPont white nomex felt insulation. This modification allowed Challenger to carry 1,130 kg (2,500 lb) more payload than Columbia. Challenger was also the first orbiter to have a heads-up display system similar to those found in military and newer civilian aircraft. This system eliminated the need to look at the instrument panel during descent and allowed the crew to concentrate more on flying. The space shuttle thermal protection system (TPS) is the barrier that protects the space shuttle orbiter during the searing 1649 Â°C (3000 Â°F) heat of atmospheric reentry. ... Space Shuttle Columbia (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-102) was the first spaceworthy space shuttle in NASAs orbital fleet. ... This article is about E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. ... NOMEXÂ® is the brand name of a flame retardant meta-aramid material marketed and first discovered by DuPont in the 1970s. ... For other meanings of Hud, see this article A Rafale fighter of the FS Charles de Gaulle, seen through the HUD of another Rafale. ...

Flights and modifications

After its first flight, Challenger quickly became the workhorse of NASA's Space Shuttle fleet, flying far more missions per year than Columbia. In 1983 and 1984, Challenger flew on 85% of all Space Shuttle missions. Even when the orbiters Discovery and Atlantis joined the fleet, Challenger remained in heavy use with three missions a year from 1983-85. Challenger, along with Discovery, was modified at Kennedy Space Center to be able to carry the Centaur-G upper-stage in its payload bay. Had STS-51-L been successful, Challenger's next mission would have been the deployment of the Ulysses probe with the Centaur to study the polar regions of the Sun. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) (IPA [ËˆnÃ¦sÉ™]) is an agency of the United States government, responsible for the nations public space program. ... This article is about the space vehicle. ... This is a list of missions flown by space shuttles. ... Space Shuttle Discovery (Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-103) is one of the three currently operational spacecraft in the Space Shuttle fleet of NASA, the space agency of the United States. ... Space Shuttle Orbiter Atlantis (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-104) is one of the fleet of space shuttles belonging to the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). ... Merritt Island and Kennedy Space Center (shown in white). ... Model of Centaur with Surveyor as payload. ... The launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger on mission 51L/STS-33, the 25th of the STS (Space Transportation System) program, began at an estimated time of 16:38:00. ...

Challenger's many spaceflight accomplishments included the first American woman, African-American, and Canadian in space, three Spacelab missions, and the first night launch and landing of a Space Shuttle. Challenger was also the first space shuttle to be destroyed in an accident during a mission. The collected debris of the vessel are currently stored in decommissioned missile silos at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. From time to time, further pieces of debris from the orbiter wash up on the Florida coast.^[2] When this happens, they are collected and transported to the silos for storage. Because of her early loss, Challenger was the only space shuttle that never wore the NASA "meatball" logo. Spacelab in payload bay during STS-90 Spacelab is a microgravity laboratory flown into space on the Space Shuttle. ... A missile silo is a underground vertical cylindrical container for the storage and launching of ICBMs. ... The Bumper V-2 was the first missile launched at Cape Canaveral on July 24, 1950. ... This article is about the U.S. State of Florida. ... The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) logo has three official designs, although one of them (the worm) has been retired from official use since 1992. ...

This article is about the year. ... is the 119th day of the year (120th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... STS 51-B was the seventeenth flight of a Space Shuttle and the seventh flight of Challenger. ... Edwards Air Force Base (IATA: EDW, ICAO: KEDW) is a United States Air Force airbase located on the border of Kern County and Los Angeles County, California in the Antelope Valley, 7 miles (11 km) due east of Rosamond. ... Spacelab in payload bay during STS-90 Spacelab is a microgravity laboratory flown into space on the Space Shuttle. ... This article is about the year. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... STS-51-F (Spacelab 2) was the nineteenth flight of a Space Shuttle and the eighth flight of Challenger. ... Edwards Air Force Base (IATA: EDW, ICAO: KEDW) is a United States Air Force airbase located on the border of Kern County and Los Angeles County, California in the Antelope Valley, 7 miles (11 km) due east of Rosamond. ... Spacelab in payload bay during STS-90 Spacelab is a microgravity laboratory flown into space on the Space Shuttle. ... This article is about the year. ... is the 303rd day of the year (304th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... STS-61-A was the 22nd Space Shuttle mission. ... Edwards Air Force Base (IATA: EDW, ICAO: KEDW) is a United States Air Force airbase located on the border of Kern County and Los Angeles County, California in the Antelope Valley, 7 miles (11 km) due east of Rosamond. ... Spacelab in payload bay during STS-90 Spacelab is a microgravity laboratory flown into space on the Space Shuttle. ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger on mission 51L/STS-33, the 25th of the STS (Space Transportation System) program, began at an estimated time of 16:38:00. ...

Loss of Challenger

Challenger was destroyed in the second minute of STS-51-L, the orbiter's tenth mission, on January 28, 1986, when an O-ring seal on its right solid rocket booster (SRB) failed. The O-rings failed to seal due to a variety of factors, including unusually cold temperatures.^[3] This failure allowed a plume of flame to leak out of the SRB and impinge on both the external fuel tank (ET) and SRB aft attachment strut. This caused both structural failure of the ET and the SRB pivoting into the orbiter and ET. The vehicle assembly then broke apart under aerodynamic loads.^[4]
Download high resolution version (3000x2400, 4093 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Download high resolution version (3000x2400, 4093 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... For further information about Challengers mission and crew, see STS-51-L. The iconic image of Space Shuttle Challengers smoke plume after its breakup 73 seconds after launch. ... is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... Typical O-ring and application An O-ring is a loop of elastomer with a round (o-shaped) cross-section used as a mechanical seal. ... The Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) is the rocket that provides 83% of liftoff thrust for the Space Shuttle. ... A Space Shuttle External Tank (ET) on its way to the Vehicle Assembly Building. ...

See also

Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... These chronological lists include all crewed spaceflights that reached an altitude of at least 100 km (the FAI definition of spaceflight), or were launched with that intention but failed. ... This is a list of persons who served aboard Space Shuttle crews, arranged in chronological order by mission. ... This is a list of missions flown by space shuttles. ... Timeline of space shuttle missions ... Some debate exists over the definition of space (see boundary to space), and hence that of spaceflight. ... The flag was an American flag that was in the flight kit of the final Challenger mission. ... Rendez-Vous Houston, April 5, 1986 Rendez-vous Houston was a concert performed by musician Jean-Michel Jarre on the skyscrapers of Downtown Houston on the evening of April 5, 1986. ... A Trident C-4 FBM launches and fires its Thiokol solid rocket first stage Thiokol (variously Thiokol Chemical Company, Morton-Thiokol Inc. ... Roger Boisjoly (born 25 April 1938) is an engineer who worked for Morton Thiokol, the manufacturer of the solid rocket boosters of the space shuttle. ...

References

The Cable News Network, commonly known as CNN, is a major cable television network founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. ... The Cable News Network, commonly known as CNN, is a major cable television network founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. ...

External links

Categories: Manned spacecraft | Space Shuttles | Engineering failures | History of the United States (1980–1988) STS-6 was a space shuttle mission by NASA using the Space Shuttle Challenger, launched April 4, 1983. ... STS-7 was a space shuttle mission by NASA using the Space Shuttle Challenger, launched June 18, 1983. ... STS-8 was the eighth Space Shuttle mission, the third for Challenger. ... // Crew Vance Brand (flew on Apollo-Soyuz, STS-5, STS-41-B & STS-35), Commander Robert L. Gibson (flew on STS-41-B, STS-61-C, STS-27, STS-47 & STS-71), Pilot Bruce McCandless II (flew on STS-41-B & STS-31), Mission Specialist Ronald E. McNair (flew on... STS-41-C was the 11th Space Shuttle mission and the fifth for Challenger. ... STS 41-G marked the thirteenth flight of a Space Shuttle and the sixth flight of the Challenger. ... STS 51-B was the seventeenth flight of a Space Shuttle and the seventh flight of Challenger. ... STS-51-F (Spacelab 2) was the nineteenth flight of a Space Shuttle and the eighth flight of Challenger. ... STS-61-A was the 22nd Space Shuttle mission. ... The launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger on mission 51L/STS-33, the 25th of the STS (Space Transportation System) program, began at an estimated time of 16:38:00. ... This is a list of missions flown by space shuttles. ... For further information about Challengers mission and crew, see STS-51-L. The iconic image of Space Shuttle Challengers smoke plume after its breakup 73 seconds after launch. ... is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... The launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger on mission 51L/STS-33, the 25th of the STS (Space Transportation System) program, began at an estimated time of 16:38:00. ... For further information about Challengers mission and crew, see STS-51-L. The iconic image of Space Shuttle Challengers smoke plume after its breakup 73 seconds after launch. ... STS-51-L was the twenty-fifth flight of the American Space Shuttle program, which marked the first time a civilian had flown aboard the Space Shuttle. ... A view of Space Shuttle Challenger shortly before launch. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Francis Richard Dick Scobee (May 19, 1939 - January 28, 1986) was an American astronaut who died commanding the Space Shuttle Challenger, which suffered catastrophic booster failure during launch of the STS-51-L mission. ... Michael John Smith (April 30, 1945 â€“ January 28, 1986) was an American astronaut, pilot of the Space Shuttle Challenger when it was destroyed during the STS-51-L mission. ... Dr. Judith Arlene Resnik (April 5, 1949 â€“ January 28, 1986) was an American astronaut who died at the age of 36 in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster during the launch of the mission STS-51-L. Resnik was born in Akron, Ohio and attended Hebrew school. ... Ellison Shoji Onizuka (June 24, 1946 - January 28, 1986) was an American astronaut from Kealakekua, Kona, Hawaii who died during the destruction of the Space Shuttle Challenger, where he was serving as mission specialist on mission STS-51-L. // Early life Ellison Onizuka was the oldest son and second... Ronald Erwin McNair, Ph. ... Gregory Jarvis Memorial at Hermosa Beach Gregory Bruce Jarvis (August 24, 1944 - January 28, 1986) was an American astronaut who died during the destruction of the Space Shuttle Challenger on mission STS-51-L, where he was serving as payload specialist. ... Sharon Christa Corrigan McAuliffe (September 2, 1948 â€“ January 28, 1986) was an American teacher from Concord, New Hampshire who was selected from among more than 11,000 applicants to be the first teacher in space. ... NASAs Space Shuttle, officially called Space Transportation System (STS), is the United States governments current manned launch vehicle. ... This article is about the space vehicle. ... NASAs Space Shuttle, officially called Space Transportation System (STS), is the United States governments current manned launch vehicle. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1189x1264, 1101 KB)http://science. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) is the rocket that provides 83% of liftoff thrust for the Space Shuttle. ... A Space Shuttle External Tank (ET) on its way to the Vehicle Assembly Building. ... Space Shuttle Main Engine cluster The Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs) are the three main engines on the Space Shuttle orbiter. ... An OMS pod detached from a Shuttle for maintenance. ... The Space Shuttle Enterprise (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-101) was the first Space Shuttle built for NASA. It was constructed without engines or a functional heat shield, and was therefore not capable of space operations; its purpose was to perform test flights in the atmosphere. ... Space Shuttle Columbia (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-102) was the first spaceworthy space shuttle in NASAs orbital fleet. ... Space Shuttle Discovery (Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-103) is one of the three currently operational spacecraft in the Space Shuttle fleet of NASA, the space agency of the United States. ... Space Shuttle Orbiter Atlantis (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-104) is one of the fleet of space shuttles belonging to the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). ... Space Shuttle Orbiter Endeavour (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-105), is the fifth and final operational NASA space shuttle. ... Merritt Island and Kennedy Space Center (shown in white). ... Launch Complex 39 is a large site and a collection of facilities at the John F. Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island in Florida, USA, originally built for the Apollo program, and later modified to support Space Shuttle operations. ... Boeing Delta 4 Medium+ (4,2) lifts off from Space Launch Complex Six (SLC-6) at Vandenberg AFB, California (Official photo by Thom Baur for the Boeing Company) Vandenberg Air Force Base (IATA: VBG, ICAO: KVBG) is a United States military installation with a spaceport, in Santa Barbara County, California... First launch of a Boeing Delta IV Medium+ (4,2) from SLC-6 on June 27, 2006 (Official photo by Thom Baur for Boeing) Space Launch Complex-6 (SLC-6, nicknamed Slick Six) at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California was a launch pad and support area designed for the... Comparison of the Saturn V, Space Shuttle, Ares I, Ares V, and Ares IV. The Shuttle-Derived Launch Vehicle, or simply Shuttle-Derived Vehicle (SDV), is a term describing one of a wide array of concepts that have been developed for creating space launch vehicles from the components, technology and... An artists conception of a Shuttle-C launching at night. ... Ares I is the crew launch vehicle being developed by NASA as a component of Project Constellation. ... The Ares V (formerly known as the Cargo Launch Vehicle or CaLV) is the cargo launch component of Project Constellation. ... The Space Shuttle Orbiter Pathfinder (honorary Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-098) is a Space Shuttle simulator made of steel and wood. ... Main Propulsion Test Article being lifted onto its test stand in 1977. ... The Main Propulsion Test Article ET was built by NASA to be used in conjuction with MPTA-098 for structural tests of the Space Shuttle prior to construction of flyable craft. ... This is a list of missions flown by space shuttles. ... It has been suggested that STS-61-H be merged into this article or section. ... Even before the Apollo moon landing in 1969, in October 1968 NASA began early studies of space shuttle designs. ... This is a list of persons who served aboard Space Shuttle crews, arranged in chronological order by mission. ... A Space Shuttle abort is an emergency procedure due to equipment failure on NASAs Space Shuttle, most commonly during ascent. ... Even before the first space shuttle was launched, science fiction filmmakers were featuring the craft in their productions. ... Crawler-transporter #2 (Franz) in a December 2004 road test after track shoe replacement. ... Atlantis transported by a Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft Schematic 3-view The Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) are two extensively modified Boeing 747 jetliners that NASA uses to transport a space shuttle orbiter. ... Space Shuttle America viewed from Sky Trek Tower Space Shuttle America (also known as Space Shuttle America - The Next Century) is a motion simulator ride at Six Flags Great America that opened in 1994. ... The Space Shuttle Explorer is a full-scale replica of a Space Shuttle. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 260 Ã— 598 pixelsFull resolution (458 Ã— 1053 pixel, file size: 121 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Diagram of US space shuttle in launch configuration File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... For other uses of terms redirecting here, see US (disambiguation), USA (disambiguation), and United States (disambiguation) Motto In God We Trust(since 1956) (From Many, One; Latin, traditional) Anthem The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City National language English (de facto)1 Demonym American... NASAs Space Shuttle, officially called Space Transportation System (STS), is the United States governments current manned launch vehicle. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Soviet_Union. ... CCCP redirects here. ... This article is about the Buran space program in general. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 247 Ã— 600 pixelsFull resolution (700 Ã— 1700 pixel, file size: 138 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Diagram of Soviet space shuttle in launch configuration File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to... The Space Shuttle Enterprise (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-101) was the first Space Shuttle built for NASA. It was constructed without engines or a functional heat shield, and was therefore not capable of space operations; its purpose was to perform test flights in the atmosphere. ... The Space Shuttle Orbiter Pathfinder (honorary Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-098) is a Space Shuttle simulator made of steel and wood. ... For further information about Columbias mission and crew, see STS-107. ... For further information about Challengers mission and crew, see STS-51-L. The iconic image of Space Shuttle Challengers smoke plume after its breakup 73 seconds after launch. ... Space Shuttle Discovery (Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-103) is one of the three currently operational spacecraft in the Space Shuttle fleet of NASA, the space agency of the United States. ... Space Shuttle Orbiter Atlantis (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-104) is one of the fleet of space shuttles belonging to the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). ... Space Shuttle Orbiter Endeavour (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-105), is the fifth and final operational NASA space shuttle. ... The OK-GLI (Buran Analog BST-02) was a test vehicle (Buran aerodynamic analogue) in the Shuttle Buran program. ... The Buran spacecraft, serial number 11F35 K1, was the only fully completed and operational space shuttle from the Soviet Unions Buran program. ... Ptichka (ÐŸÑ‚Ð¸Ñ‡ÐºÐ° meaning little bird in Russian) is an informal nickname for the second space shuttle to be produced as part of the Buran program. ... 2. ... 2. ... 2. ...

Contents

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