1986 Challenger Exploded – Now We’ve Found New Debris  

People froze on their screens

Almost 37 years ago, the entire planet watched in horror on their televisions as an explosion destroyed the manned space shuttle Challenger. The explosion occurred 73 seconds after launch, killing its crew of seven instantly, and its wreckage falling into the sea was etched in the memory of all who watched.

In the years since, NASA has found more of the wreckage, but now a History Channel documentary has discovered a 20-foot-long piece of the Challenger on the ocean floor.

So while filming a documentary about World War II, the History Channel crew noticed a large piece of metal at the bottom. Its proximity to the coast of Florida and its modern construction along with the presence of 8 inch square pieces, suspected the divers who contacted NASA.

While it has been nearly 37 years since seven daring and brave explorers lost their lives on the Challenger, the tragedy will forever remain etched in the nation’s collective memory. For millions of people around the world, myself included, January 28, 1986 seems like yesterday. This discovery gives us an opportunity to stand back and honor the memory of the seven we lost and reflect on how this tragedy has changed us. At NASA, safety is – and must forever remain – our top priority, especially as our missions explore more of the universe than ever before. – Bill Nelson, NASA Administrator

https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/challenger_crew_photo.jpg