STS-51-L
The Challenger accident and the loss of the STS-51-L crew
STS-51-L ended 73 seconds after launch when a seal failure in the right allowed hot gas to breach the external tank area, leading to Challenger's breakup and the loss of all seven crew members. The planned TDRS-B deployment, Spartan-Halley observations, and Teacher in Space lessons were never performed; the accident led to an extensive investigation and major Shuttle redesign and management reforms.
Mission dossier
Flight profile, locations, hardware, and outcome in the same reference format used throughout the archive.
Flight profile
- Launch
- January 28, 1986
Places and recovery
Mission record
- Achieved duration
- 73 seconds
- Planned duration
- 6 days, 34 minutes
- Vehicle
- STS-51-L flight stack
- Orbiter
- Space Shuttle Challenger (OV-099)
- Crew and station travelers
- 7
- Outcome
- Challenger and its seven-person crew were lost 73 seconds after launch
Assignment Manifest
The flight crew and the backup team assigned to train for this mission.
Prime crew
7 assignments
Ellison S. Onizukaprime crewMission Specialist (launch)Launched January 28, 1986Approach and Landing Test eventMission Specialist (launch) aboard STS-51-L flight stack.Open astronaut archive
Francis R. Scobeeprime crewCommander (launch)Launched January 28, 1986Approach and Landing Test eventCommander (launch) aboard STS-51-L flight stack.Open astronaut archive
Gregory Bruce Jarvisprime crewPayload Specialist (launch)Launched January 28, 1986Approach and Landing Test eventPayload Specialist (launch) aboard STS-51-L flight stack.Open astronaut archive
Judith A. Resnikprime crewMission Specialist (launch)Launched January 28, 1986Approach and Landing Test eventMission Specialist (launch) aboard STS-51-L flight stack.Open astronaut archive
Michael John Smithprime crewPilot (launch)Launched January 28, 1986Approach and Landing Test eventPilot (launch) aboard STS-51-L flight stack.Open astronaut archive
Ronald McNairprime crewMission Specialist (launch)Launched January 28, 1986Approach and Landing Test eventMission Specialist (launch) aboard STS-51-L flight stack.Open astronaut archive
Sharon Christa Corrigan McAuliffeprime crewPayload Specialist (launch)Launched January 28, 1986Approach and Landing Test eventPayload Specialist (launch) aboard STS-51-L flight stack.Open astronaut archiveMission Purpose
2 sources- Deploy the TDRS-B tracking and data relay satellite using an Inertial Upper Stage.
- Deploy, separate from, with, and retrieve the Spartan-Halley free-flying astronomy platform.
- Operate the CHAMP comet-observation payload and the fluid-dynamics experiment assigned to Gregory Jarvis.
- Record and broadcast Teacher in Space classroom lessons from orbit.
Planned Flight Plan
2 sources- Flight day 1
TDRS-B deployment
Prepare and deploy the relay satellite, then perform separation maneuvers from the satellite and upper .
- Flight day 2
Science and orbit setup
Begin CHAMP operations, record Teacher in Space material, and adjust orbit for Spartan operations.
- Flight day 3
Spartan release
Use the remote manipulator system to deploy Spartan-Halley and separate from the payload.
- Flight days 4-5
Education, experiments, and retrieval
Conduct live education broadcasts, fluid-dynamics work, and with Spartan for capture and stowage.
- Flight days 6-7
Return preparation
Complete crew news conference activity, prepare Challenger for entry, and land at Kennedy Space Center.
Mission Timeline
2 sources- January 28, 1986
Launch
Challenger lifted off from Kennedy Space Center after a cold night.
- 73 seconds after launch
Vehicle breakup
A right- field-joint seal failure led to structural breakup; all seven crew members were lost.
- Following months
Investigation
The Rogers Commission examined technical causes, decision-making, and organizational failures.
- September 29, 1988
Return to flight
The Shuttle program resumed with redesigned boosters and operational reforms on STS-26.