Remembering the Challenger

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"At 11:38 a.m. EST on January 28, 1986, Space Shuttle Challenger lifted off from the launch pad 39B at Cape Canaveral's Kennedy Space Center. The launch was the first from the brand new pad. The launch site was closer to the public viewing areas than other liftoff sites, and many in attendance said the proximity made it one of the loudest and most stunning launches they had witnessed.

The 25th space shuttle launch received widespread attention because of the presence of Sharon Christa McAuliffe, who was to have been the first teacher in space. The New Hampshire high school teacher was chosen from a field of more than 11,000 applicants for the space educator position. She was to have given lectures from orbit to students across the country.

About one minute, 13 seconds after launch, as students across the country watched on through live television feeds, the shuttle tragically exploded, killing all seven crew members. In addition to McAuliffe were commander Dick Scobee, pilot Mike Smith, mission specialists Ellison Onizuka, Judy Resnik and Ron McNair, as well as payload specialist Greg Jarvis, an employee of Hughes Aircraft Systems."

-Greg Clark, space.com