Shuttle ‘Challanger’ Exploded 28 Years Ago Today on January 28, 1986

It was a sad day 28 years ago today. On January 28, 1986, seven astronauts perished in flight as NASA's shuttle 'Challenger' exploded at 11:38 am in view of thousands on the ground and millions across the country as we watched live on television.

All of those lives lost were horrific and sad, especially to their loved ones. One of those who died on that awful day was a teacher, Christa McAuliffe from Concord, New Hampshire. I can't even imagine what her students watching thought and felt. Remember this was back when all launches were shown live on the networks. They really were "appointment television" and at a time when often the TV was rolled in to the classroom for major current events.

Those finals words of direction from command, "go a throttle up" are still to this day one of the toughest to hear while watching that launch 70 or so seconds into flight.

May all who died on that day rest in peace and be honored for their exploration and dedication to science and technology.