I Was There Challenger Disaster (Season 1, Episode 8)
TV Episode | 21 min | Documentary, History

I Was There

Challenger Disaster (Season 1, Episode 8)

TV Episode | 21 min | Documentary, History

On January 26, 1986, 2.5 million school children, plus Americans and people around the world, watch the launch of the first teacher, Christa McAuliffe, into space, aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. The mission is supposed to showcase ...See moreOn January 26, 1986, 2.5 million school children, plus Americans and people around the world, watch the launch of the first teacher, Christa McAuliffe, into space, aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. The mission is supposed to showcase the safety of NASA's fabulously successful shuttle program which is the envy of the world. But joy turns to horror as the kids in this classroom, and the rest of the world, witness Challenger explode. Why did it happen? Theo Wilson retraces a mission destined for tragedy, from a worrying mishap on an earlier shuttle flight, to mounting concern by engineers that Challenger had a fatal flaw, to a fateful 11th hour meeting where Challenger is given the go-ahead despite the warnings. See less

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Cast	+ Add Cast
16 cast members

Name	Known for
Theo Wilson Self - Host (as Theo E.J. Wilson) Self - Host (as Theo E.J. Wilson) See fewer	Inner Dimension (2015)
Robert Berdahl Robert Lund Robert Lund See fewer	Farmer of the Year (2018)
Katie Bradley Teacher Teacher See fewer	I Was There (2022)
Pete Colburn Bob Ebeling Bob Ebeling See fewer	The Mentalist (2008)
Thomas Crue Classroom Boy Classroom Boy See fewer	Sins of the Father (II) (2022)
Sean Dooley NASA Technician NASA Technician See fewer	Wilson (I) (2017)
Stephen Hage Engineer Engineer See fewer	Marmalade (I) (2024)
Lamar Jefferson Ron McNair Ron McNair See fewer	Red (XI) (2013)
Matt Lindholm Young Morton Thiokol Engineer Young Morton Thiokol Engineer See fewer	Club City (2020)
Ryan Maddux Engineer Engineer See fewer	The American Miracle
Debby Montague Christa McAuliffe Christa McAuliffe See fewer	Danny's Game (2020)
Brittany Parker Morton Thiokol Secretary Morton Thiokol Secretary See fewer	Locally Grown Comedy (2022)
Brian Sams Commander Dick Scobee Commander Dick Scobee See fewer	Under the Stadium Lights (2021)
Mark Turcotte Classroom Boy Classroom Boy See fewer	Tap (2023)
Ryan J. Gilmer NASA Scientist (uncredited) NASA Scientist (uncredited) See fewer	Catharsis (VI) (2017)
Steve Mallers Fairgoer / NASA Scientist (uncredited) Fairgoer / NASA Scientist (uncredited) See fewer	Awesomest Christmas Ever (2024)