The Challenger Disaster

Front

What was the Challenger Disaster?

Back

The Challenger Disaster was a tragic event that occurred on January 28, 1986, when the Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart 73 seconds into its flight, leading to the deaths of all seven crew members.

Front

Who was the President of the United States during the Challenger Disaster?

Back

Ronald Reagan was the President during the Challenger Disaster.

Front

What was the main cause of the Challenger Disaster?

Back

The main cause was the failure of the O-ring seals in cold temperatures, which allowed hot gases to escape and led to the explosion.

Front

What temperature contributed to the failure of the O-rings on the day of the launch?

Back

The temperature was -5°C.

Front

What were the names of the seven crew members who died in the Challenger Disaster?

Back

The crew members were Francis R. Scobee, Michael J. Smith, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Judith Resnik, Gregory Jarvis, and Christa McAuliffe.

Front

What was Christa McAuliffe's role in the Challenger mission?

Back

Christa McAuliffe was a teacher selected to be the first private citizen in space, and she was to conduct educational experiments.

Front

What did President Reagan emphasize in his speech after the Challenger Disaster?

Back

President Reagan emphasized the bravery of the astronauts and the importance of continuing space exploration.

Front

What were the three groups mentioned by Reagan in his speech?

Back

The three groups were the crew, their families, and school children.

Front

What is an O-ring?

Back

An O-ring is a mechanical gasket used to create a seal between two parts, preventing the escape of gases or liquids.

Front

What lesson can be learned from the Challenger Disaster?

Back

One lesson is the importance of listening to engineers and experts about safety concerns before making decisions.