Terri B.Jan 29, 2023
DrD
I haven't seen much remembering the Challenger space shuttle disaster, which took place 37 years ago today/yesterday (depending on where you are in the world) and resulted in the deaths of the seven astronauts onboard. There's some evidence that the tragedy could have been avoided. The original CNN coverage can be seen here https://youtu.be/j4JOjcDFtBE #NASA #SpaceShuttle #Challenger #ChristaMcAuliffe #EllisonOnizuka #RonaldMcNair #JudithResnik #DickScobee #GregoryJarvis #MichaelJSmith
Challenger Disaster Live on CNN

YouTube
Jan 29, 2023 at 1:11amWeb
Show threadTheJenJan 29, 2023

@drd

Yep. The O rings had frozen, and had they waited just a little longer, the mission would have completed.

We knew this, then.

I didn't watch the video, however, because I hate YouTube. :)

Show threadJames David WalleyJan 29, 2023
@drd @JenWojcik I won’t watch it, because I’ve seen it too many times already – it’s like seeing another replay of the planes hitting the WTC.
Show threadÁngel Domínguez 🎹 Jan 29, 2023
@JenWojcik @drd There’s a documentary miniseries on Netflix about the disaster titled ‘Challenger: The Final Flight’ I had the honor of translating into Spanish. Heart-breaking stuff, brought so many memories from my childhood.
Show threadTheJenJan 29, 2023

@ahe @drd

Yep. I was 14 when it happened. We were actually watching the launch live on CCTV while in school when it blew up.

The wails filled the halls. School was canceled for the rest of the day. It was horrifying.

Show threadÁngel Domínguez 🎹 Jan 29, 2023
@JenWojcik Wow, what a shock. That was discussed in the documentary, which was quite emotional to translate. But it does celebrate the astronauts that flew the mission and how unique they were.
Show threadTheJenJan 29, 2023
@ahe That's wonderful. It broke our hearts.
Show threadDrDJan 29, 2023
@ahe Thanks for sharing Angel; I hadn't come across the miniseries previously even though I've seen some of Daniel Junge's earlier documentaries. I struggle to switch between languages and so I've nothing but admiration for your work!
Show threadÁngel Domínguez 🎹 Jan 29, 2023
@drd Happy to have helped you find something interesting. And thanks a lot for your words; this was a very special project to me and I poured my heart and soul on it.
Show threadJames David WalleyJan 29, 2023
@drd More than some evidence – the engineers at Morton Thiokol refused to approve the launch under the projected conditions, but their managers overruled them after speaking with NASA brass. There has been speculation that the White House pressured them to launch, so that Reagan could address the crew in space during the State of the Nation speech scheduled for that evening.
Show threadfuzzfaceJan 29, 2023
@drd @donmelton https://www.nasa.gov/specials/dor2023/ is where to start concerning this year’s Dsy of Remembrance. Wikipedia should be able to point you to the Rogers Commission report that clearly identifies the cause of the disaster.
NASA Day of Remembrance

Day of Remembrance: Remembering NASA's Heroes, #NASARemembers Each January NASA pauses to honor members of the NASA family who lost their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery, including the crews of Apollo 1 and space shuttles Challenger and Columbia.

NASA
Show threadGaige PaulsenJan 29, 2023
@drd I remember being at NCSA with a population of scientists (many astrophysicists) and students (like me at the time) watching the events of that day unfold. Eventually, I believe it was Larry who told everyone they could go home, because it was clear people weren't in a state to work. Many of us just lingered to be with other folks similarly affected. Sad day indeed, and I avoid watching the footage if at all possible.
Show threadDrDJan 29, 2023
@gaige Thanks for sharing your memories of the time, Gaige, it's fascinating and really appreciated.
Show threadKishJan 29, 2023
@drd I was in second grade. I’ll never forget it because it was such a big deal that a teacher was going into space. We studied it and learned so much and all got together to watch. 😢