On January 24, 1986, the aftermath of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster continued to unfold, with NASA and the nation mourning the loss of seven astronauts. The shuttle had exploded on January 28, 1986, just 73 seconds after launch, and investigations began immediately to determine the cause. The disaster was attributed to the failure of the O-rings in the solid rocket boosters, which allowed hot gases to escape and rupture the external fuel tank. In the days following the event, the nation grappled with the emotional impact of the loss, and the space program was temporarily grounded. The incident led to significant changes in NASAs safety procedures and space exploration policies, emphasizing the need for better risk management and engineering practices.