Report of the PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION
on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident
![[30-31] Structural breakup of the vehicle began at approximately 73 seconds. Fire spread very rapidly. Above [left], a bright flash (arrow) is evident near the nose the Orbiter, suggesting spillage and ignition of the spacecraft's reaction control system propellants. At left, the two Solid Rocket Boosters thrust away from the fire, crisscrossing to from a v](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/static/history/rogersrep/v1p30.jpg)
Structural breakup of the vehicle
began at approximately 73 seconds. Fire spread very rapidly. Above
[left], a bright flash (arrow) is evident near the nose the Orbiter,
suggesting spillage and ignition of the spacecraft's reaction control
system propellants. At left, the two Solid Rocket Boosters thrust
away from the fire, crisscrossing to from a v ". the right booster-
identifiable by its failure plume- now to left of counterpart.
"
- Back -