Why did the challenger blow up?
The space shuttle Challenger disaster of January 28, 1986 at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida was the result of a combination of factors including weather and mechanical problems. The disaster claimed the lives of all seven astronauts on board the shuttle.WeatherThe launch of the Challenger had been postponed six times since its initial launch date of January 22. The U.S. Centennial of Flight website explains that on the morning of the flight, temperatures were colder than usual at 36 F. No shuttle had been launched at less than 51 F.BoosterThe first problem with the Challenger can be seen in photographic evidence just 0.678 seconds into the flight when puffs of smoke are seen on the right solid rocket booster.SealThe smoke seen on the right solid booster throughout take-off is evidence of the failure of a joint on the booster called an O-ring. After 56 seconds, heavy winds caused the damaged O-ring to dislodge causing a flame to appear on the booster.LeakThe failed O-ring resulted
