The Day That Changed Spaceflight Forever
Thirty-nine years ago, the loss of Space Shuttle Challenger and its seven crew members forever transformed our approach to spaceflight safety and risk management
Launch Date
August 18, 1987
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC32/1
Launch Vehicle
Tsiklon-3
NORAD ID
25232
International Designator
1987-068BK
Decay Date
12/19/1998
Name
SL-14 DEB
Alternative Name
deb S5M
Type
Status
Owner
VKSR
Country
Russia
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Length
0
Diameter
0
Span
0
Dry Mass
0
Launch Mass
0
Shape
N/A
Radar Cross Section
0.0161
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Unknown
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
Unknown
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Unknown
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Unknown
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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