Spacecraft Archive
Space Shuttle Challenger
Space Shuttle
Challenger flew nine successful missions, including the flight that made Sally Ride the first American woman in space, before being lost with its seven-person crew 73 seconds after launch on STS-51-L in 1986.
OrbitingTruths Archive
Space Shuttle • Destroyed (STS-51-L, 1986)
Overview
Built for the mission
Challenger flew nine successful missions, including the flight that made Sally Ride the first American woman in space, before being lost with its seven-person crew 73 seconds after launch on STS-51-L in 1986.
Spacecraft Details
Type
Orbiter
Manufacturer
Rockwell International
First Flight
April 4, 1983 (STS-6)
Final Flight
January 28, 1986 (STS-51-L)
Total Missions Flown
10
Program
Space Shuttle
Status
Destroyed 73 seconds after launch, January 28, 1986
Related Program
Space Shuttle
NASA's reusable spacecraft program that built the International Space Station and expanded scientific research in orbit.
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