In a National tragedy that sent shockwaves across the globe, the NASA space shuttle orbiter Challenger broke apart just 73 seconds after launch with cameras trained on the craft. All seven crew members on the shuttle perished and it left America, a nation still obsessed with space travel just 17 after they first landed a man on the moon, devastated. Here the crew jubilantly wave to crowds of family, friends, and press gathered to see them off as they embark on their journey, readying to take their place on the ill-fated shuttle.