This sequence of photos shows dark smoke escaping from the right SRB. This is due to an O-ring not functioning properly.

A photo of the Space Shuttle Challenger leaving the launch pad for the last time.

A photo of the Space Shuttle Challenger just clearing the launch tower at around T+5 seconds after lift-off.

This photo shows the huge cloud of steam underneath the Shuttle launch vehicle seconds into the flight

A photo of the Challenger at the first few seconds of ascension.

A photo as Challenger's launch vehicle climbs even higher into the sky.

A close up look at the shuttle and its launch vehicle.

From the CNN Live footage, the Space Shuttle Challenger is only moments away from disintegration.

T+72. This photo shows a bright orange flame and smoke can be seen leaving the side of the right SRB, where the O-Ring is falling apart.

At this point, Challenger and its launch vehicle begin to disintegrate. Smoke leaves from the entire stack. The crew only have milliseconds of time left.

This photo was shot just seconds after the explosion. The smoke trails of the two SRBs can be seen travelling away from each other.

This is an overview photo shot just seconds after the explosion.

This is a close up shot of the explosion and small pieces of debris flying away from the location of detonation.

This is another overview photo shot at a different angle.