<br><ul><li><i>Short Description:</i> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle" class="extiw" title="w:Space Shuttle">Space Shuttle <i>Challenger</i></a> explodes <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Challenger_disaster" class="extiw" title="w:Space Shuttle Challenger disaster">shortly after take-off</a>.<br></li>
<li><i>Full Description:</i> On January 28, 1986, the Challenger space shuttle and her seven-member crew were lost when a ruptured <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O-ring" class="extiw" title="w:O-ring">O-ring</a> in the right <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid_rocket_booster" class="extiw" title="w:Solid rocket booster">solid rocket booster</a> caused an explosion soon after launch. This photograph, taken a few seconds after the accident, shows the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_main_engine" class="extiw" title="w:Space Shuttle main engine">main engines</a> and solid rocket booster exhaust plumes entwined around a ball of gas from the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_external_tank" class="extiw" title="w:Space Shuttle external tank">external tank</a>. Because shuttle launches had become almost routine after 24 successful missions, those watching the shuttle launch in person and on television found the sight of the explosion especially shocking and difficult to believe until <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASA" class="extiw" title="w:NASA">NASA</a> confirmed the accident.</li>
<li>Image # : 	86-HC-220</li>
<li>Title: Exhaust Trail of STS-51-L</li></ul>
Kennedy Space Center
Taken on 28 January 1986
<a rel="nofollow" class="external free" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/10697912315/in/album-72157630719371642/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/10697912315/in/album-72157630719371642/</a>