KENNEDY SPACE CENTER — Monday marks 33 years since the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded during launch at Kennedy Space Center, killing the seven-person crew. 

The shuttle broke apart 73 seconds into its tenth flight, disintegrating over the Atlantic Ocean. 

The disaster led to NASA stopping shuttle launches while a special commission investigated the accident, which found that NASA managers violated the agency's safety rules, and disregarded warnings about the dangers of launching in low temperatures (the temperature that morning was 28 degrees to 28.9 degrees).

On board the flight were:

  • Commander Francis Scobee
  • Pilot Michael Smith
  • Mission Specialist Ronald McNair
  • Mission Specialist Ellison Onizuka
  • Mission Specialist Judith Resnik
  • Payload Specialist Gregory Jarvis
  • Payload Specialist Christa McAuliffe, who was part of a program to put a teacher in space

This is a sober week for NASA and space lovers.

Sunday marked 52 years since a tragedy during a preflight test killed the Apollo 1 crew. 

Friday will mark 16 years since Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart on its return flight, killing its seven-person crew.