Report of the PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION
on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident
Immediately after solid rocket motor
ignition, dark smoke (arrows) swirled out between the right hand
booster and the External Tank. The smoke's origin, behavior and
duration was approximated by visual analysis and computer enhancement
of film from five camera locations. Consensus: smoke was first
discernible at .678 seconds Mission Elapsed Time in the vicinity of
the right booster's aft field joint.
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