A Day That Shook The World: Challenger space shuttle explodes

Tuesday 08 March 2011 06:10 EST
Comments
(Getty )

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

On 28 January 1986, the world was shaken when the Challenger space shuttle exploded without warning scant minutes after launch.

Dramatic pictures seemed to show the explosion emerging from one of the fuel boosters, though the fireball quickly engulfed the rest of the shuttle, killing all seven astronauts in seconds. The disaster would prove a major setback to space exploration.

Watch original footage from the disaster in this British Pathé video, above.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in