Original: January 28 - STS-51-L: Space Shuttle Challenger disintegrates 73 seconds after launch, killing the crew of 7 astronauts, including schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe (see Space Shuttle Challenger disaster).
Simplified: January 24 - Voyager 2 space probe makes first encounter with Uranus January 28 - Space Shuttle Challenger disintegrates 73 seconds after launch, killing all seven astronauts on board.