Challenger disaster, crew dinner before launch. Footage of members of the crew at a dinner and press conference during preparations for mission STS-51-L, flown by the Space Shuttle Challenger on 28 January 1986. The shuttle disintegrated just over a minute after launch, killing all seven on board. The members of the crew were US astronauts Ellison Onizuka, Judith Resnik, Michael J. Smith, Dick Scobee, Ronald McNair, US engineer Gregory Jarvis, and US high school teacher Christa McAuliffe. The preparation for the mission included training, press conferences, simulator work, and full dress rehearsals for the launch. This footage shows the crew at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA, speaking to press while seated at a dinner table with mission-themed cakes and a floral arrangement. From left, the astronauts are: Ellison Onizuka, Christa McAuliffe, Michael J. Smith (pilot), Dick Scobee (commander), Judith Resnik, Ronald McNair, and Gregory Jarvis. |