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Throughline · September 29, 2026 · 21m

Forty years of what if

In 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after liftoff, killing all seven astronauts aboard. Engineer Brian Russell had spent months warning NASA that freezing temperatures could cause a critical seal to fail. He recalls the tense launch decision meeting and the forty-year burden of a disaster he tried to avert.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Preview

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The Challenger Disaster
On January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after launch, resulting in the deaths of all seven astronauts aboard.
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Engineer's Pre-Launch Warnings
Engineer Brian Russell spent months warning NASA that freezing temperatures could cause a critical seal to fail.

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