This Day in Texas History: Space Shuttle Explosion Kills Texas Astronaut and Crew

This Day in Texas History:

Space Shuttle Explosion Kills Texas Astronaut and Crew

January 28, 1986

On this day in 1986, the space shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after takeoff. Seven American astronauts were killed, including Texas resident Judith Arlene Resnik.

The world watched as, 73 seconds into its flight, Challenger broke apart in a violent explosion, casting debris into the Atlantic Ocean. Disintegration of the craft began when the o-ring for the right solid rocket booster failed, resulting in a massive explosion.  While the crew compartment survived the explosion, it’s impact with the ocean surface was too intense for anyone to have survived it.  All seven crew members perished.

She was the second American woman astronaut. She had taken her first space flight in August 1984 aboard the orbiter Discovery.

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