"Today we can say at long last to Dick, Mike, Judy, to Ron and El,and to Christa and Greg, dear friends, we have resumed the journey thatwe promised to continue for you. Your loss has meant that we can confidentlybegin anew. Your spirit and your dream are still alive in our hearts."
--The crew of STS-26, the next space shuttle to fly after Challenger, tothe lost astronauts.

Ona frigid day in Florida 15 years ago, seven astronauts were lost 73 secondsafter launch when Space Shuttle Challenger exploded. Their legacy, andtheir sacrifice, continues to influence events today.

MSNBCSpecial

Read the transcript of Challenger: Beyond the Tragedy, the MSNBC special. Learnmore...

ChallengerRemembered
At11:38 a.m. EST on January 28, 1986, Space Shuttle Challenger lifted offfrom the launch pad 39B at Cape Canaveral's Kennedy Space Center. Hereis their story. To listen to the Mission Control transmissions during thelaunch, choose .AIFFor .WAVformat (1.8 MB).

WhereWere You?
SPACE.comreaders reflect on where they were and how they felt when the Challengerdisaster took place. 

Flyingin the Spirit of Challenger
FromSPACE-TV, Challenger Learning Centers around the country continue the missionwith space education for students. 

Challenger'sLasting Legacy
"Safetyover schedule" is the mantra for the turn of the century, and NASA is provingit's more than just a slogan. 

OwningChallenger Wreckage Could Earn Stiff Penalties
Withthe advent of online auction sites the marketplace for memorabilia connectedto tragedies has expanded, including wreckage from Space Shuttle Challenger. 

TheInteractive Shuttle
Thespace shuttle, one the most complex spacecraft ever built, has more than2.5 million parts. Explore the vehicle with this SPACE.com interactivegraphic.