NASA's space shuttle Challenger completed 10 missions before it broke apart during a launch in 1986, killing seven astronauts.

Wednesday marks a somber anniversary in American history. 40 years ago, seven astronauts were killed when Space Shuttle Challenger exploded during liftoff.

Forty years ago, Americans were shocked when the space shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after it launched on a chilly day in Florida.

Steve Hawley, who flew five Space Shuttle missions, and Krista Schaffer, a first-grade teacher at Christa McAuliffe Elementary in Lenexa reflect on the 40th anniversary of the Challenger disaster.

On Jan. 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after takeoff. All seven crewmembers on board were killed.

Wednesday marked 40 years since the space shuttle Challenger accident that killed seven crew members. The mission was not just to launch satellites but to launch the first teacher in space.

The 40th anniversary of the Challenger explosion stirs the memories of Long Island educators who watched the disaster on classroom TVs.