In recognition of the 30th anniversary of the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster this month, we are sharing again the interview with our own Professor Dr. Mike Reynolds, professor of astronomy and physics at FSCJ, acknowledging the devastating events that occurred on January 28, 1986.

Dr. Reynolds was a finalist for the Teacher in Space program at the time.

He witnessed the accident from the launch viewing area at Cape Kennedy.

“None of us knew at the time about the concerns that had been raised by the engineers the night before,” Dr. Reynolds recalled.

Seventy-three seconds after NASA’s space shuttle Challenger rocketed off launch pad 39B, the nation watched in horror as the shuttle disintegrated on live television.

A 32-month-long investigation determined that extremely cold weather at the Cape had caused an O-ring to malfunction.

This tragedy prompted changes in launch procedures and design that would serve NASA well until 2003’s Columbia disaster.

You can watch Dr. Reynolds’ interview by clicking here.