Yesterday’s Air Force: The Challenger disaster Published Jan. 28, 2016 By Air Force TV FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) – It was 30 years ago that the much-anticipated launch of Space Shuttle Challenger quickly turned to tragedy. Here's a look back at this fateful day, as well as the successes of the shuttle's previous missions. Yesterday's Air Force is a history and heritage featurette series profiling significant people and missions from the Air Force's past.