Disasters for All Time: The Challenger Explosion

A historical account--including eyewitness quotes--of the devastating 1986 explosion of the space shuttle Challenger and its effect on NASA's programs, ending with how the disaster is memorialized today.

Part of the Disasters for All Time series

Some tragedies are so profound that they resonate through time, remaining familiar long after they occur. But what caused these events? Were they inevitable, or could they have been prevented? Have steps been taken to ensure they never happen again? Chronicling four of history’s greatest tragedies with appropriate solemnity, Disasters for All Time answers these questions as it unravels the events leading up to and following each disaster. Bolstered by quotes from survivors and eyewitness descriptions, these comprehensive accounts also address the global response to each devastating event, as well as its lasting impact on policies and regulations.