History of the Challenger Disaster (Updated)

History of the Challenger Disaster

Introduction

On January 28 1986 the NASA association sent a space shuttle called the Challenger (OV-099) which was designated to land at Kennedy Space Center but blew up 73 seconds into it's flight.      

Crew

Francis R. Scobee, Commander

Michael J. Smith, Pilot

Ronald McNair, Mission Specialist

Ellison Onizuka, Mission Specialist

Judith Resnik, Mission Specialist

Greg Jarvis, Payload Specialist

Christa McAuliffe, Payload Specialist   

Launch

On the day of the catastrophic disaster it was unusually cold and extremely icy. At 11:38 am EST (European Standard Time), the Challenger started the liftoff sequence but 73 seconds into it's flight disaster struck.

Weather Conditions

22℉

-5℃

Air temperature - 28℉                                                                  

Very cold conditions and ice was in abundance.

Clear sky.

Plume

At approximately half-way through the tragic incident, the right solid rocket booster was leaking harmful plumes of pressurized burning gas which led to the structural integrity of the craft to be ripped apart by aerodynamic forces. With the hot gas flowing through a growing hole in the SRB (Solid Rocket Booster). The force of the wind shear shattered the temporary oxide seal although had it not been for the wind shear the oxide seal might have held through the booster burnout. Within a second the burning gas intensified leading to the internal pressure of the SRB  dropping because of the rapidly enlarging hole in the failed joint and there was visual evidence of flame burning on the joint and impinging on the external fuel tank.

Breakup

At approximately 60 seconds into the tragic flight, the right SRB pulled away from the aft strut attaching it to the external fuel tank. Then afterwards the aft dome of the liquid hydrogen tank failed producing a propulsive force that rammed the hydrogen tank into the liquid oxygen tank in the forward part of the external fuel tank. At the exact same time the right SRB rotated around the forward attach strut and struck the intertank structure. The external fuel tank was in a complete state of structural failure and the LH2 and LOX tanks mixed and ignited causing a fireball to cloak the craft leading to the explosion that took the life of all 7 crew members.

Aftermath

After the catastrophic incident known as the Challenger disaster had drawn to a close, the renown Space Shuttle program was put on hold for 2 years and upgrades to the structural safety of the shuttles was enhanced greatly. There wasn't any other incidents such as previously stated, until the space shuttle Columbia disintegrated when coming into the lower atmosphere of the earth.      

Conclusion

The Challenger disaster was arguably the worst catastrophe in American history which could've been easily prevented if political priorities were not of higher importance than public safety. Also if they had postponed the launch until at least February 2nd and repaired the damaged O-ring and the hole in the right-hand SRB there may not have been a disaster in the first place.

    

                       By Nathan 

Lionel Messi

Wild animals

Wild Animals

Pandas

1)Pandas are endangered species. Population estimates vary but there may be around 2000 left living in the wild.

2)It has a black and white coat that features large black patches around it's eyes.

3)Most pandas live in China (native).

Tigers

1)Tigers are the biggest species of the cat family.

2)Tigers can reach up to 3.3 meters(11 feet) and weigh as much as 300 kilograms.

3) Did you know that around half of the tiger cubs don't live beyond two years of age?

Lions

1)Lions are the second biggest species of the cat family.

2)The roar of a lion can be heard from 8 kilometers away.

3)Lions are very social compared to other cat species, often living in prides that feature females, offspring and a few adult males.

Wolves

1)Adult wolves have large feet.

2)A grown wolf would have a paw print nearly 13 centimetres long and 10 centimetres wide.

3)Wolf pups are born deaf and blind while weighing around 0.5 kg (1.bl). It takes about 8 months before they are old enough to actively join in wolf pack hunts.

Clouded Leopards

1)Leopards are well known for their cream and gold spotted fur, but some have black fur with dark spots. These black leopards are often mistaken for panthers.

2)Adult leopards are solitary animals. Each adult leopard has its own territory where it lives and, although they often share parts of it, they try to avoid one another.

3)These particular leopards are found in Southeast Asia, China and Taiwan.

I hope you enjoyed my passion project about wild animals.

By Shayla

Amazing Facts and Information About Beluga Whales

Frida Kahlo's Exciting Adventures

One of my favourite artists is Frida Kahlo. She is in my favourite artists lists because all of her fabulous artwork have very odd meanings and are sometimes confusing. For example staring at one of her paintings can make you stand (or sit) there in confusion wondering why she painted this picture. And I have this strange feeling about this picture she painted that is actually quite sad. It is called Girl with death mask (She plays alone). Just reading the name makes me shiver. It is a picture with a girl wearing a white mask (a.k.a death mask) and a pink dress, holding a flower, while she is playing in a cloudy desert. Next to her is a head from a creature that I know looks nothing like a human. But this is not the only picture that is extremely odd, there are plenty more. That is why Frida Kahlo is my #1 favourite artist.

How to Smash a Six in Cricket

WALT-We are learning to write a detailed

procedure.

22/6/15

Must do-Write a procedure for a game or a basic activity.

How to Hit a Six in Cricket

Method

Hit a six in cricket

How to

1. Walk on to the cricket field confidently unless you can't play.

2. Nervously wait for the skillful bowler to bowl the solid ball before you try hit it.

3.After you have waited for the ball to make it to you.

3. Play a shot that would be a good way to go with the ball viciously

4.After the bowler has bowled the inflexible ball.

4. Watch the soild ball all the way onto your cricket bat while concentrating on the tough ball.

5. Then be happy because you hit a six unless you got out!

And that's how you hit a six

Swimming with Sockburn School

The energetic, enthusiastic kids in Kahikatea and Matai have been doing  swimming lessons at the King Swim School. They have been learning swimming skills like breaststroke, swiftly sculling hands, speedy freestyle, breathtaking backstroke and diving! There are 2 groups, which are the handsome Mr Barrow's group and the kind Mrs Boswell's group. "This is so much more exciting than what the we thought, remarked Kahikatea pupils. "I don't want to stop!"