This document summarizes three space tragedies - Apollo I, Space Shuttle Challenger, and Space Shuttle Columbia. Apollo I resulted in the deaths of its three crew members due to a fire during a launch pad test in 1967. Space Shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after launch in 1986, killing its seven member crew including the first teacher in space. Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart upon re-entry in 2003 after insulation foam damaged the heat shield during launch. New safety protocols were implemented after each tragedy to prevent future losses of life.

1. Three Space Tragedies
Apollo I
Space Shuttle Challenger
Space Shuttle Columbia

2. Date of Tragedies
 Apollo I - January 27, 1967
 Space Shuttle Challenger – January 28,
1986
 Space Shuttle Columbia – February 1,
2003

3. Apollo I

4. Apollo I
 Crew consisted of the first American
Astronauts:
◦ Gus Grissom
◦ Ed White
◦ Roger Chaffee
 Killed by fire in module on the launch pad
 Died in only 30 seconds
 Capsule impounded after accident

5. Space Shuttle Challenger

6. Space Shuttle Challenger
 First teacher in space – Christa McAuliffe
 Delayed launch due to bad weather and
equipment problems
 Exploded 73 seconds after launch
 O-ring seal in solid-fuel rocket as problem
built in Utah (Hercules/ATK)

7. Space Shuttle Columbia

8. Space Shuttle Columbia
 Broke apart upon re-entry after a 16 day
mission
 Insulating foam from the booster rockets
tank during liftoff was the cause
 People in Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana
heard unusual sounds from sky

9. New Protocols
 Hatch for Apollo capsule reworked, flame-
retardant items and cabin pressure
lessened
 O-rings for solid-rocket boosters were
redesigned
 Foam debris strictly scrutinized

10. After 50 years of Space Travel
 All of the tragedies happened in the last
week of January or first week in February
 President Regan’s tribute the best
◦ “Today is a day for mourning and
remembering. We know we share this pain
with all of the people of our country. This is
truly a national loss. But Challenger Seven
were aware of the dangers and overcame
them and did their job brilliantly. We mourn
seven heroes.”