Space Shuttle Challenger exploded just after take off on January 28, 1986. The Challenger disaster has been linked to unusually cold temperatures in the days leading up to take off. The Columbia disaster was not weather-related.

How many space shuttles have exploded?

Four fully operational orbiters were initially built: Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, and Atlantis. Challenger and Columbia were destroyed in mission accidents in 1986 and 2003 respectively, killing a total of fourteen astronauts. A fifth operational orbiter, Endeavour, was built in 1991 to replace Challenger.

Which 2 space shuttles blew up?

Columbia: The first fully functional space shuttle launched on April 12, 1981. After 27 missions over two decades, it broke apart during re-entry on Feb. 1, 2003, killing all seven astronauts on board. Challenger: The shuttle first launched on April 4, 1983.