[Space Shuttle] Challenger Astronauts - Boulder, CO - Space Flight Memorials and Exhibits on Waymarking.com

This beautiful and educational memorial is dedicated to the astronauts who lost their lives in the Challenger disaster, but also highlights the knowledge gained through the space program. Walking this scale model of the solar system gives one a better sense of the size of our solar system.

"On January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after liftoff from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Colorado Scale Model Solar System is dedicated to the memory of Challenger astronaut, and University of Colorado alumnus,

Ellison S. Onizuka B.S., M.S. (Aerospace Engineering), Colorado University 1969
and the other six Challenger astronauts:
Gregory B. Jarvis
S. Christa McAuliffe
Ronald E. McNair
Judith A. Resnik
Francis R. Scobee
Michael J. Smith"
(from (visit link) )

"Challenger was destroyed as it broke up in mid-flight in the second minute of its tenth mission, on January 28, 1986, at 11:38:00 am Eastern Standard Time. The breakup was ultimately due to the failure of an O-ring on its right solid-fuel rocket booster (SRB). The O-rings are used to seal the joints between the multiple segments of the SRBs. The failure was due to a variety of factors, including unusually low temperatures prior to liftoff. The failure allowed a plume of flame to leak out of the SRB and impinge on both the external fuel tank (ET) and the SRB aft attachment strut. This caused both structural failure of the ET, and pivoting of the SRB into the orbiter and ET. Damage near the bottom of the ET resulted in the complete loss of the aft dome of the lower tank and a rapid release of hydrogen, creating a forward thrust of about 2.8 million pounds and pushing the tank up into the intertank structure which connects the liquid hydrogen tank and liquid oxygen tank. This was followed by an almost explosive burning of the hydrogen combined with oxygen leaking from the intertank. Challenger's reaction control system then ruptured, resulting in the burning of its hypergolic propellants. The orbiter, traveling at about Mach 1.92, was forced into an attitude that caused it to endure extreme aerodynamic loads, with the resulting stresses breaking it apart. All seven crew members were killed. On March 8, 1986, a search team found the crew cabin; it had not been destroyed in the explosion. The bodies of all seven crew members were found, still strapped into their seats. Autopsies were done but exact cause of death was inconclusive. It is believed that at least some of the crew survived the explosion, since three of four emergency air packs found had been deployed. After the explosion, the crew cabin fell over 50,000 feet and hit the water at approximately 200 miles per hour. None could have survived the impact." (from (visit link) )

Since this memorial is on the campus of the University of Colorado, parking may be a bit challenging. There is much more parking on weekends than during weekdays. There is no free parking. Parking Fees may be paid with coins or credit/debit card.

Hours: Dawn to Dusk Fee (if no fee, enter 'none'): none How Long a Hike: Roughly three blocks Amount of time an average person would spend here: Less than an hour Accessible?: yes Location is wheelchair accessible?: Yes

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