Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster Address: Resources

Websites

It Doesn't Get More Official Than This

NASA's webpage describing the tragic events of the space shuttle Challenger Disaster. It highlights the planned mission, if it had succeeded.

Sounds Like Puberty, but Worse

A thorough breakdown of what happens to your body in space. Mylanta, anyone?

Heavenly Bodies

NASA's webpage dedicated to those astronauts who've blasted off to the great beyond.

A Space-Car Named Disaster

Some info-tainment in typical History Channel style, with its flair for the sensational.

Anyone for Badminton?

A brief write-up on the memorial monument for the Challenger Seven: a shuttlecock for the ages.

Subtle AND Sensitive

A copy of The Gainesville Sun newspaper from the day after the Challenger Disaster. Note the overall tone of tasteful concern that characterizes the headlines.

The Main Boisjoly

For an amuse-bouche, check out the abstract of this meaty treaty on engineering and workplace ethics by an engineer who worked on the Challenger Mission STS-51-L, Roger M. Boisjoly.

Movie or TV Productions

More Real Than Real

An episode of the reputable television program Seconds from Disaster, complete with overacted dramatizations and the occasional Cantonese subtitle.

"Based On" the "True" Story

Two words: TV movie. Starring Barry Bostwick, a.k.a. Brad Majors from the The Rocky Horror Picture Show, this small-screen flick simply titled Challenger was most definitely made for basic cable.

A "Factual" Drama

Another made-for-TV movie. Called The Challenger Disaster, this one stars William Hurt of Altered States fame and is based on somewhat-more-reputable source material.

A Rush to Speculate

Produced on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Challenger Disaster, it profiles the individual crew members a bit more than other television documentary programs, but keeps up with them in terms of its sensationalist tone.

Articles and Interviews

Twenty-Five Years On

An article reviewing both the disaster and Reagan's address of the nation twenty-five years after its occurrence. It provides some interesting insight into the creation of the speech.

Thirty Years On

An article reviewing both the disaster and Reagan's address to the nation thirty years after its occurrence. It provides some background from the perspective of Peggy Noonan, author of Reagan's speech.

Thirty Years On, Part II

Yet another article reviewing both the disaster and Reagan's address of the nation, also thirty years after its occurrence. Includes passages from Reagan's diary entries at that time.

Video

Reagan, and Again, and Again

Official video from the Reagan Foundation of the President's address to the nation the night of the Challenger Disaster. For your viewing pleasure, for as many time as you please.

The Nitty-Gritty

Super technical NASA documentary investigating the possible causes of the space shuttle Challenger Disaster.

Is That Poutine?

Thanks to the Canadian Space Agency, we can all learn what happens when you puke in outer space.

Not for the Fainthearted

Actual, real-time video footage of the space shuttle Challenger exploding. You've been warned.

Audio

3+ Hours of Empty Conjecture, Sustained Anxiety, and Fear Mongering

Original radio broadcast audio from CBS News reporting on the Challenger Disaster. Featuring a lot of people with a lot of opinions based on very little information.

Images

The Magnificent Seven

Official portrait of the space shuttle Challenger crew.

Launch Pad With Crows

Spooky photograph of the space shuttle Challenger at the moment of take-off.

Zero Gravity Make Even Obscure Tasks Fun

Official image of Christa McAuliffe and her Teacher In Space understudy, Barbara Morgan, performing an astronaut task.

Something Doesn't Look Right…

A still image of the demented-looking contrails that resulted from the space shuttle Challenger Disaster. Watch any of the documentaries listed to find out why this happened.