Report of the PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident

At 58.788 seconds, the first flicker of flame appeared. Barely visible above, it grew into a large plume and began to impinge on the External Tank at about 60 seconds. Flame is pinpointed in the computer drawing between the right booster and the tank, as in the case of earlier smoke puffs. At far right (arrow), vapor is seen escaping from the apparently breached External Tank.

At 58.788 seconds, the first flicker of flame appeared. Barely visible above, it grew into a large plume and began to impinge on the External Tank at about 60 seconds. Flame is pinpointed in the computer drawing between the right booster and the tank, as in the case of earlier smoke puffs. At far right (arrow), vapor is seen escaping from the apparently breached External Tank.

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