On January 28, 1986, the space shuttle Challenger broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean, killing all seven people on board. Like disaster is a defining moment in twentieth-century history - yet the full story of what happened, and why, has never been told. It's a compelling tale of ambition and ingenuity undermined by political cynicism and cost-cutting in the interests of burnishing national prestige. A masterful blend of riveting human drama and fascinating and absorbing science, Challenger brings to life an even more complex and astonishing story than we remember.