A large section of the destroyed space shuttle Challenger has been found buried in sand at the bottom of the Atlantic, more than three decades after the tragedy that killed seven crew members.
“Upon first hearing about it, it brings you right back to 1986,” said Michael Ciannilli, a NASA manager in charge of the remains of both lost shuttles, Challenger and Columbia.
In a NASA interview, he said it’s one of the biggest pieces of Challenger ever found in the decades since the accident. Divers for a TV documentary crew first spotted the piece in March while seeking wreckage of a World War II plane. NASA recently verified through video that the piece was part of the shuttle that broke apart shortly after liftoff on Jan. 28, 1986. All seven on board were killed, including the first schoolteacher bound for space, Christa McAuliffe.The remnant is more than 15 feet by 15 feet ; it’s likely bigger because part of it is covered with sand.
The fragment remains on the ocean floor just off the Florida coast near Cape Canaveral, as NASA determines the next step. It remains the property of the U.S. government.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Piece of Challenger Space Shuttle found 36 years after disasterNASA officials tell ABC13 that a piece of the shuttle was discovered and recovered by divers near the Bahamas recently.
Read more »
Texas Attorney General race: Ken Paxton faces Democratic challenger Rochelle GarzaTexas Attorney General race: Incumbent Republican Ken Paxton faces Democratic challenger Rochelle Garza. Two of the big topics in Texas are abortion rights and border security.
Read more »
City of Tucson to re-open Section 8 housing waitlist Jan. 3The waitlist hasn't been available to applicants since 2017. Since then, officials say the city has exhausted its existing waitlists—meaning it has assisted everyone who had remained on a housing waitlist in the past six years.
Read more »
Florida Senate: GOP Sen. Marco Rubio defeats Democratic challenger Rep. Val DemingsBREAKING NEWS: Also in the Sunshine State, the Fox News Decision Desk can project Republican Senator Marco Rubio has defeated Democratic Rep Val Demings.
Read more »
Rep. Ken Buck defeats challenger Ike McCorkle in Colorado’s 4th Congressional DistrictThe Republican incumbent who has represented a wide swath of eastern Colorado in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2014 retained his seat Tuesday.
Read more »