Challenger (OV-099)

The Space Shuttle Challenger (designation STA-099, then later OV-099) was a space shuttle from the NASA program. The was named after the HMS Challenger, a seafaring vessel in the British navy. The construction of the vessel by North American Rockwell began in 1972 CE and completed in 1978 CE. It was initially built as a Structural Test Article. In 1979 CE, Rockwell International's Space Transportation Systems Division began to convert the vessel into a space shuttle (or Orbital Vehicle). This construction project lasted 1982 CE, at which point it was tested for flight readiness.

The space shuttle's maiden voyage occurred on April 4, 1983 CE. It quickly proved itself to be one of the most important vessels of the NASA program, and was assigned 85% of NASA's orbital missions between 1983 and 1984 CE. It flew three missions in 1985 CE.

Smoke plumes as the Challenger breaks apart

In October of 1985 CE, Jack Crichton was nearly assigned to be the captain of its next mission -- which was scheduled to launch on January 28, 1986 CE. The interference of a time-traveling John Crichton prevented this, as it was actually the result of a fluctuation in the timeline. It would be decades before this information came to light.

When the Challenger launch of January 28, 1986 CE occurred it had a crew of seven -- five astronauts, a scientist, and a school teacher. A seal on the vessel failed during the launch, causing the space shuttle to break apart over the Atlantic Ocean -- 73 seconds after launch. All seven crew members were killed in the disaster.

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The Space Shuttle Challenger was a real vessel in history, however the impending disaster featured prominently in an episode of Farscape.