
The NASA family lost seven of its own on the morning of January 28, 1986, when a booster engine failed, causing the Shuttle Challenger to break apart just 73 seconds after launch.
The crew of STS-51-L: Front row from left, Mike Smith, Dick Scobee, Ron McNair. Back row from left, Ellison Onizuka, Christa McAuliffe, Greg Jarvis, Judith Resnik.
28 years ago today, the Challenger Space Shuttle blew up in the sky above Cape Kennedy after 73 seconds of flight.
The photo series linked below was shot by an unnamed NASA electrician that captured that short flight. Click here for the story of their discovery.
More