Wreckage from the shuttle Challenger mission 51-L, showing a 4000 pound, 3. 3m x 6m (11ft x 20ft) piece of the aft centre segment tang joint of the ri

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Wreckage from the shuttle Challenger mission 51-L, showing a 4000 pound, 3. 3m x 6m (11ft x 20ft) piece of the aft centre segment tang joint of the right hand solid rocket booster. It was recovered from the Atlantic Ocean at a debth of 170 metres (560ft) of water. The burned out area at centre measures 38cm x 71cm (15\x28\"). It is thought that the accident was due to a failure of one of the O- rings in a seal on the right hand solid rocket booster. A subsequent leakage of fuel resulted in the explosion which killed all seven crew members. The accident took place seventy three seconds after lift off on 28th January 1986."

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Size: 4834px × 3633px
Photo credit: © NASA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 51-, challenger, debris, disaster, flight, manned, mission, shuttle, space, spaceflight, wreckage