The NASA space shuttle Challenger exploded 40 years ago, on January 28, 1986, just 73 seconds after liftoff. The disaster claimed the lives of all seven astronauts aboard, including Christa McAuliffe, a teacher from New Hampshire who would have been the first civilian in space. “The crew of the space shuttle Challenger honored us by the manner in which they lived their lives,” President Regan said in an address to the nation that night. “We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them,

On November 27, 2009, Space Shuttle Atlantis glided back to Earth, closing out the powerful STS-129 mission with a flawless landing at Kennedy Space Center. After 11 days in space, the shuttle returned home carrying a story of precision, courage, and teamwork. 🚀 Atlantis had just completed a critical delivery run to the International Space Station, bringing heavy-duty spare parts, tools, and two massive Express Logistics Carriers—basically the ISS’s “emergency toolbox” in orbit. 🧰🛰️ The seven