From Crew Training to the Tragic Launch and Memorial Tribute
About This Footage
This rare 1986 archival footage documents the Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster, one of the most tragic moments in the history of space exploration. The film begins with scenes of the seven-member crew—Francis R. Scobee, Michael J. Smith, Judith A. Resnik, Ellison S. Onizuka, Ronald E. McNair, Gregory Jarvis, and teacher Christa McAuliffe—during preflight training, physiological and environmental tests, and press conferences. Launch preparations lead to the devastating explosion of Challenger, captured from both the launch site and NASA’s control center. Rescue operations, news coverage, and images of recovered wreckage illustrate the national shock. The footage concludes with President Ronald Reagan’s tribute at the crew memorial service, followed by a flyby salute and portraits of each astronaut, honoring their legacy in America’s space program.