Columbia
NASA's Columbia Page
Space Shuttle Columbia and Her Crew
CNN's Columbia Page
Lost: Space Chuttle Columbia
New
York Times Opinion/Editorial
Onward and Outward by Thomas Mallon
(this is excellent)
Beyond
the Shuttle
By Gregory Benford
Challenger
NASA
Challenger Mission Profile
NASA's Mission Profile page
Space Policy Project
Created by the Foundation of American Scientists.
NASA's Challenger Accident
Page
Information on the STS-51L/Challenger Accident, including off-site
links.
Report
of the Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger
Accident
(Most of Volume 1 is on line)
The
Challenger Accident
This paper reviews the primary mechanical and administrative causes of
the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion identified by the Rogers
Commission appointed by President Reagan to investigate the
accident. To clarify the mechanical causes of the accident, the
shuttle components contributing to the catastrophic failure of the
Challenger will be discussed. Background will be given on the solid
rocket boosters, field joints, and O-rings. This paper will also
discuss the changes implemented by NASA resulting from the
determination of the causes of the accident.