Challenger disaster, crew arrival before launch. Footage of members of the crew arriving for mission STS-51-L, flown by the Space Shuttle Challenger on 28 January 1986. The shuttle disintegrated just over a minute after launch, killing all seven on board. The members of the crew were US astronauts Ellison Onizuka, Judith Resnik, Michael J. Smith, Dick Scobee, Ronald McNair, US engineer Gregory Jarvis, and US high school teacher Christa McAuliffe. The preparation for the mission included training, press conferences, simulator work, and full dress rehearsals for the launch. The launch itself was originally scheduled for 22 January, but was postponed several times. This footage shows the crew arriving at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA, in Northrop T-38 Talon aircraft and speaking to the press. The mission commander, Dick Scobee, speaks first, followed by the pilot Michael J. Smith. He is followed by Judith Resnik, Ellison Onizuka, Ronald McNair, Christa McAuliffe, and finally Gregory Jarvis. |