Students will understand the following:
1. From April 1981 through January 1986, 25 space shuttle missions were conducted.
2. During the 25th launch, the space shuttle exploded, destroying the orbiter Challengerand killing its crew of seven.
3. The accident had a far-reaching impact on the space shuttle program, suspending launchings for more than two years, while both NASA and a presidential commission investigated the accident.