Remembering the Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster

NBC4 archives revisit the tragic 1986 launch that ended in catastrophe

Jan. 28, 2026 at 5:07pm

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In the mid-1980s, NASA space shuttle launches were considered routine events, but the tragic explosion of the Challenger shuttle on January 28, 1986 was anything but. NBC4 in Los Angeles provided live coverage of the launch, which ended in disaster 73 seconds after liftoff, killing all seven astronauts on board. The cause was later determined to be a failure of a rubber O-ring in the right solid rocket booster, which allowed hot exhaust gas to damage the external fuel tank. The Challenger disaster was a major setback for the space shuttle program, but it continued with other orbiters like Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour until the final mission in 2011.

Why it matters

The Challenger disaster was a pivotal moment in the history of the U.S. space program, shattering public confidence and leading to major changes in NASA's safety protocols. The tragedy also had a deep personal impact on the families of the astronauts lost, as well as the broader Southern California community that was closely tied to the shuttle program through Rockwell International's manufacturing facilities.

The details

Challenger was NASA's second orbiter after the space shuttle Columbia, rolling out of a Rockwell International plant in Palmdale, California in 1982. Its maiden voyage was in 1983, marking the first spacewalk for the shuttle program. On January 28, 1986, a crew of seven astronauts, including the first civilian passenger, teacher Christa McAuliffe, boarded Challenger at Kennedy Space Center in Florida for what was meant to be the shuttle program's 25th mission. But 73 seconds after launch, the spacecraft broke apart, killing all on board. An investigation later determined the cause was a failure of a rubber O-ring seal in one of the solid rocket boosters, which allowed hot exhaust gas to damage the external fuel tank.

  • Challenger rolled out of a Rockwell International plant in Palmdale, California on June 30, 1982.
  • Challenger's maiden voyage was on April 4, 1983, marking the first spacewalk for the shuttle program.
  • The Challenger disaster occurred on January 28, 1986, 73 seconds after launch.

The players

Challenger

NASA's second space shuttle orbiter, built at Rockwell International's facilities in Palmdale, California.

Christa McAuliffe

A New Hampshire social studies teacher who was selected to be the first civilian passenger on the Challenger mission, known as the "Teacher in Space" program.

Michael J. Smith

The pilot of the Challenger mission, who was killed in the disaster.

Judith A. Resnik

A mission specialist on the Challenger crew, who was killed in the disaster.

Ellison S. Onizuka

A mission specialist on the Challenger crew, who was killed in the disaster.

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What they’re saying

“My God. There's been an explosion.”

— Kent Shocknek, NBC4 anchor (NBC4)

“Obviously, a major malfunction.”

— Voice from mission control (NBC4)

“The crew of the space shuttle Challenger honored us by the manner in which they lived their lives. We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and 'slipped the surly bonds of earth' to 'touch the face of God.'”

— President Ronald Reagan (NBC4)

What’s next

The shuttle program continued with other orbiters like Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour until the final mission in 2011, but the Challenger disaster led to major changes in NASA's safety protocols to prevent such tragedies from happening again.

The takeaway

The Challenger disaster was a devastating moment in the history of the U.S. space program, shaking public confidence and leading to significant reforms. However, the bravery and sacrifice of the Challenger crew, including the first civilian passenger Christa McAuliffe, ensured their legacy would live on and inspire future generations of space explorers.