Piece of Challenger wreckage found
Discussion
A 20 foot section of the Challenger Shuttle has been found by divers off the Florida coast.
They were initially searching for the remains of a WW2 (PBM Martin Mariner Rescue) plane but came across the large, clearly modern object mostly covered in sand at the bottom of the ocean and bearing the shuttle's distinctive tiles according to a NASA statement.
It's the first time in 25 years that a piece of the Challenger has been found.
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/divers-find-chall...
They were initially searching for the remains of a WW2 (PBM Martin Mariner Rescue) plane but came across the large, clearly modern object mostly covered in sand at the bottom of the ocean and bearing the shuttle's distinctive tiles according to a NASA statement.
It's the first time in 25 years that a piece of the Challenger has been found.
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/divers-find-chall...
The History Channel programme is on in the US on 22nd November and there is a clip on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/HISTORY/status/159072271693162...
https://twitter.com/HISTORY/status/159072271693162...
They believe it's part of the underside of the center section.
It has the remains of thermal tiles still attached, although it looks like they've degraded or have been nibbled by the sea life over time.
I don't believe it's been recovered yet but presumably NASA will recover it at some point and determine exactly where it came from.
It has the remains of thermal tiles still attached, although it looks like they've degraded or have been nibbled by the sea life over time.
I don't believe it's been recovered yet but presumably NASA will recover it at some point and determine exactly where it came from.
Edited by StephenP on Friday 11th November 12:27
It doesn’t look like it’s down very deep, judging from the divers’ gear. Shouldn’t be too hard to recover if they want. Watching the reaction of the fish was interesting; They were either being nosy or trying to shoe off the divers.
They have a nice memorial for the crews of Challenger and Columbia at the KSC Visitor Center with personal effects from each of the astronauts.
They have a nice memorial for the crews of Challenger and Columbia at the KSC Visitor Center with personal effects from each of the astronauts.
Not sure how I missed this thread - but wow! The divers looked respectful to what they’d found and the later statement from NASA was also respectful to those that lost their lives. I must have seen most documentaries on Challenger and always think of Christa McAuliffe parents watching on - the father always seems to know what’s happened whilst her poor mother watches wondering what is happening. RIP to all of them.
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