Space Shuttle Challenger

High school (ages 12+)
Space & Astronomy

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/space-shuttle-challenger

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the orbiter identification?OV-099
2. What is the primary contractor?Rockwell International
3. What was the Space Shuttle Challenger and why was it special?The Challenger was a NASA shuttle that flew many important missions. It started as a test vehicle but was turned into an orbiter because it was cheaper to upgrade. It became a flagship for space exploration during its time.
4. How many missions did Challenger fly and how long was it in space?Challenger flew ten missions over three years. It spent more than 62 days in space and orbited the Earth almost 1,000 times.

Thermal Protection System (TPS): Heat-resistant tiles and materials designed to protect the orbiter from extreme temperatures during re-entry.
Solid Rocket Booster (SRB): Large, solid-fuel rockets that provide the majority of thrust during the initial ascent of the Space Shuttle.
Aerodynamic Forces: The forces exerted by air moving over an object, which can cause structural stress or failure at high speeds.
Rogers Commission: The official commission established to investigate the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.