It’s been 40 years since the tragic Space Shuttle Challenger launch.

The view of shuttle Discovery's payload bay from inside the orbiter, with the iconic American flag at the rear. The huge cargo area is 15 feet (4.6 meters) wide and 60 feet (18 m) long. When Discovery was docked at the International Space Station, this ...

TODAY marks four decades since the Challenger space shuttle exploded just 73 seconds into its flight. Millions watched the disaster unfold live, as the tragedy was broadcast in schools and on TV

On a chilly January morning in 1986, millions watched in horror as the Challenger shuttle exploded, taking the lives of seven astronauts, including teacher Christa McAuliffe, just 73 seconds after liftoff.

A view from above of Atlantis' 60-foot-long payload bay. Atlantis' aft section as viewed from the side. The reflective insulation would normally be covered by one of the shuttle's two orbital maneuvering system (OMS) engine pods. The pods are being ...

The 40th anniversary of the Challenger disaster cast a shadow over NASA's annual Day of Remembrance event inside the Space Shuttle Atlantis building.

NASA's space shuttle Challenger completed 10 missions before it broke apart during a launch in 1986, killing seven astronauts.