History Channel - Recovery of part of Space Shuttle Challenger

In summary, while exploring the Atlantic Ocean for World War II artifacts, investigators discovered a 20-foot-long piece of debris from the Space Shuttle Challenger. This happened during filming for the History Channel's new series, "The Bermuda Triangle: Into Cursed Waters," which is set to premiere this month. The Challenger segment was found off Florida's east coast, near where NASA launches rockets. The team was actually looking for a different missing aircraft, but the Challenger debris caught their attention due to its location and appearance.
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Astronuc
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Explorers trudged the Atlantic Ocean searching for World War II artifacts lost at sea, but they stumbled on something else — a 20-foot-long piece of debris from the Space Shuttle Challenger, which was destroyed shortly after takeoff in 1986.

The History Channel and NASA revealed Thursday that the Challenger segment was discovered off Florida’s east coast during the filming of a new series called “The Bermuda Triangle: Into Cursed Waters.” The series is set to premiere this month on the History Channel.

The Challenger broke apart after its launch on January 28, 1986, killing all seven crew members aboard, including a teacher was set to become the first civilian in space. TV viewers, especially students in schools across the US, watched a live broadcast of the blast in horror that morning.
https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/10/world/shuttle-challenger-nasa-discovered-documentary-crew-scn

Mike Barnette and his team of investigators set off in March to search suspected shipwreck sites in the Bermuda Triangle, a swath of the northern Atlantic Ocean said to be the site of dozens of shipwrecks and plane crashes. The team also set its sights on one area outside the triangle, just off Florida’s Space Coast, where NASA has launched rockets since its inception.

The team was searching for a WWII-era rescue plane that mysteriously disappeared in December 1945, but a more modern object partially covered by sand on the seafloor sparked interest and further investigation from the dive team, according to the History Channel.
 
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  • #3
berkeman said:
:oops:
Of course, it's the History Channel after all.

I'm not particularly interested in theories about the Bermuda Triangle.

It was serendipitous that they were searching for lost/missing aircraft, but instead found a piece of Space Shuttle Challenger. Perhaps there is more out there.
 
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Yes, I saw that. I think it was the tiles that made them think it wasn't an aircraft.
 
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Astronuc said:
Perhaps there is more out there.
Around 60% I think.
 

FAQ: History Channel - Recovery of part of Space Shuttle Challenger

What caused the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster?

The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster was caused by the failure of an O-ring seal in one of the solid rocket boosters, leading to the rupture of the external fuel tank and the subsequent explosion of the shuttle.

How much of the Space Shuttle Challenger was recovered?

Approximately 38% of the Space Shuttle Challenger was recovered from the ocean floor following the disaster. This included debris from the crew cabin, payload bay, and other parts of the shuttle.

How long did it take to recover the Space Shuttle Challenger?

The initial recovery efforts for the Space Shuttle Challenger began immediately after the disaster on January 28, 1986. However, it took several months for all of the debris to be retrieved from the ocean floor, with the final pieces being recovered in March 1986.

What was the purpose of recovering the Space Shuttle Challenger?

The primary purpose of recovering the Space Shuttle Challenger was to investigate the cause of the disaster and to retrieve any important data or evidence that could help prevent future accidents. The recovery also allowed for a proper memorial and tribute to be held for the crew members who lost their lives.

How did the recovery of the Space Shuttle Challenger impact future space missions?

The recovery and subsequent investigation of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster led to significant changes and improvements in the safety protocols and design of future space missions. This includes stricter safety measures and more thorough testing and inspections of equipment before launch.

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