How the Challenger Disaster Forever Changed America’s Space Program Listen Download Embed Share Share this on Facebook (Opens in a new window) Share this on Twitter (Opens in a new window) Share this via Email US space shuttle Challenger lifts off 28 January 1986 from a launch pad at Kennedy Space Center, 72 seconds before its explosion killing it crew of seven. ( BOB PEARSON/AFP / Getty ) Produced by Mythili Rao Produced by PRI and WNYC