First Discovery of Space Shuttle 'Challenger' Debris Confirmed

NASA has confirmed that a piece of the Challenger space shuttle has been found in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida, nearly 37 years after the shuttle exploded shortly after takeoff. NASA issued a press release. The discovery was made by a History Channel documentary team searching for the wreckage of a World War II-era airplane. The divers noticed what was described as a "large man-made object" partially covered in sand. It also described it as "the first discovery of the wreckage of the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger in more than 25 years."

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Discovery Provides "Opportunity to Pause Once Again and Reflect on the Lives Lost in Tragedy"

No further details about the find were given. But NASA administrator Bill Nelson said the discovery gave people around the world "the opportunity to pause once again and reflect on the lives lost in the tragedy."

Let's go back in time. The space shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after launch on January 28, 1986. Seven people were on board, including mission commander Francis R. "Dick" Scobee and pilot Michael J Smith. Mission specialists Ronald E. McNair, Ellison S. Onizuka and Judith A. Resnik, payload specialist Gregory B. Jarvis and teacher S. Christa McAuliffe were also part of the crew.

"Challenger And Her Team Live On In The Hearts And Memories Of Both NASA And The Nation"

By law, all space shuttle artifacts are the property of the US government. In the press release, NASA said the agency is still trying to determine what to do with the discovered piece. A priority for the agency is to make sure that any actions taken "honor the legacy of Challenger's fallen astronauts and the families who love them." Earlier, debris from the Challenger explosion was on display at the Kennedy Space Center. The 2015 exhibition, put together with the help of crew members' families and loved ones, focused primarily on the lives of the astronauts. But a piece of the shuttle's wrecked fuselage was also on display. Kennedy Space Center Director Janet Petro made the announcement on Thursday.

According to NASA, the documentary showing the discovery of the Challenger artifact will be released on Tuesday, November 22.