On this day - 28 January

On January 28th 1986 the space shuttle Challenger disintegrated shortly after take off. Aboard the space shuttle were 7 astronauts who all lost their lives in the disaster. This led to the US space shuttle program being put on hiatus while investigations took place. It was found that the cold temperatures on the morning of launch had prevented rubber O-rings in the design from being able to form a proper seal due to loss of their elasticity.

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