Photographer who captured Challenger’s tragic breakup after launch passes away.
TITUSVILLE, Fla.—Photographer Who Captured Iconic Image of Challenger Disaster Passes Away
Bruce Weaver, a Florida-based photographer who immortalized the tragic moment when the space shuttle Challenger disintegrated into plumes of smoke and fire, has sadly passed away at the age of 77.
Mr. Weaver peacefully passed away in his sleep on Friday, surrounded by his loving wife and family, in Titusville, Florida, located along the state’s Space Coast.
As a freelance photographer for The Associated Press, Mr. Weaver was among the eyewitnesses at the Kennedy Space Center who witnessed the Challenger lift off from the launch pad on January 28, 1986. On board were New Hampshire schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe and six other astronauts.
Tragically, just 73 seconds after liftoff, the space shuttle disintegrated, claiming the lives of all seven crew members. The Challenger’s demise was caused by eroded O-ring seals in the right booster, exacerbated by the exceptionally cold weather on that fateful morning.
Unlike other photographers who had exhausted their film and needed to rewind before inserting a new roll, Mr. Weaver had not yet filled up the 36 frames on his roll. This fortunate circumstance allowed him to capture the horrifying images of the Challenger breaking apart into forking plumes of smoke and flames.
Born in Pittsburgh in 1946, Mr. Weaver and his family relocated to Florida when he was five years old. In addition to his photography career, he also had successful ventures in engineering and video production, as noted by the funeral home.
He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 57 years, Deloris, as well as a son and grandson.
How did Mr. Weaver’s photograph of the Challenger disaster contribute to the public’s understanding of the risks involved in space exploration
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