Hobby Master Archive

Space Shuttle Challenger was first called STA-099 and later became OV-099. On April 4, 1983 Challenger made its first flight. On January 28, 1986 Challenger was ready to make its tenth launch and what would be its last. Concern was raised due to extreme cold and frost the night before but it was decided to go ahead, a decision that soon would be proven to be fatal. Only 73 seconds after liftoff and when the command to “Throttle Up” was given a violent explosion took place killing all onboard as well as destroying the shuttle. Challenger flew 25,803,939 miles (41,527,414 km).