NASA documnetary detailing the events surrounding the loss of OV-099
Space Shuttle Challenger shortly after the launch of the 25th flight of
the Space Transportation System, Mission STS-51L, on 28 January, 1986,
and the subesquent investigation into the loss of the vehicle and its
crew of seven. The investigation showed that the Solid Rocket Booster
field joints were of an insufficiently fault-tolerant design and. when
launched at below-normal temperatures, leaked hot exhaust gasses on ignition
leading to a breach in the external tank and destruction of the orbiter.
