Titanium from the 1987 Challenger crash

[Dave P]

Here is a picture of the piece I found on the beach about 2 miles north of the Sebastian Inlet State Park here in Florida. I actually found it last month but just now am getting to posting it. I will be taking it to the Kennedy Space museum to see if they would like to have it there on display.

 

[jamey]

really nice thinking on your part.

 

[Alchemist]

How is it I.D.?

 

[vpnavy]

Neat! Thanks for sharing...

 

[beez0404]

Nice find and great gesture offering it to the museum.

 

[Argentium]

I'm curious as to how you are associating that piece of metal with the Challenger ?

 

[Beepin Husker]

My 3rd grade teacher in Nebraska could have been on that flight....he was 1 of 3 finalists for the teacher in space program NASA did...we all unfortunately know how that ended.... Great find! I too am interested in the association to the Shuttle and how this story turns out!

Dig on!

 

[Dave P]

I was hunting about 50 miles down range from the crash site for one. After 27 years in the mud and water it did not rust at all. You cannot bend this piece of very hard metal either. I also had two people on the beach that have seen pieces at the museum and said thats what they thought it was. Also I use to work at Avco Lycoming jet engine plant in Stratford Connecticut as a machinist in training after I got back from nam in 1969 and I recognize it as titanium. Also I was told that small pieces keep washing up on shore from time to time. If you feel this piece it feels very oily and slippery like.
You can see from the edges where the very high temp of the fire burning it that is was dripping as you can see the 3 drops before it cooled. If you look real close you will also see 3 pieces of what looks like to be pieces of sand that got embedded into the piece before it cooled down. I think thats really cool. So for final proof, my wife and I are planning a trip to the Kennedy Space Center for verification and then I will donate it to the museum.

 

[Doubter in MD]

I was hunting about 50 miles down range from the crash site for one. After 27 years in the mud and water it did not rust at all. You cannot bend this piece of very hard metal either. I also had two people on the beach that have seen pieces at the museum and said thats what they thought it was. Also I use to work at Avco Lycoming jet engine plant in Stratford Connecticut as a machinist in training after I got back from nam in 1969 and I recognize it as titanium. Also I was told that small pieces keep washing up on shore from time to time. If you feel this piece it feels very oily and slippery like.
You can see from the edges where the very high temp of the fire burning it that is was dripping as you can see the 3 drops before it cooled. If you look real close you will also see 3 pieces of what looks like to be pieces of sand that got embedded into the piece before it cooled down. I think thats really cool. So for final proof, my wife and I are planning a trip to the Kennedy Space Center for verification and then I will donate it to the museum.

I got it the second time. The third post was overkill.

 

[DMN]

Nice find if it is from the Challenger. My understanding is pieces found are property of the Fed Govt. I could be wrong but be prepared.

 

[Lores]

I use to be in Special Boats for the US Navy. I saw Challenger on the pad. Was in
Miami when that morning and off the coast of Bimini whenshe blew. Spent two weeks swimming, searching and diving. I wont confirm if I kept a little piece but I bet you could guess.

 

[Long Island Hunter]

Wow, gonna be tuff beating that find. Good stuff, and a really nice gesture on your part to donate to the museum.

 

[Dave P]

Yes I have read that as well. I think they are mostly interested in parts with id numbers on it. But thats cool, I will donate it to the Space Center and share it with everyone who is interested in this sort of thing. Glad you all like it.

 

[Dave P]

I have found stuff that would give this piece competiton, some Civil War Stuff.

 

[Dave P]

You gotta love our wonderful government at times.

 

[jfreakofkorn]

really neat find but a sad story behind it ...

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

I got it the second time. The third post was overkill.

duplicate posts removed....






American by birth, Patriot by choice.

I would rather die standing on my two feet defending our Constitution than live a lifetime on my knees......

 

[Doubter in MD]

duplicate posts removed....

I was trying to be funny. If I offended I apologize.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

I was trying to be funny. If I offended I apologize.






American by birth, Patriot by choice.

I would rather die standing on my two feet defending our Constitution than live a lifetime on my knees......

Doubter, you didn't offend me or anyone I know of. I removed the duplicates and quoted you only so others would know what you were referring to..... I guess I should have added a so you knew there wasn't an issue.

Sorry...






American by birth, Patriot by choice.

I would rather die standing on my two feet defending our Constitution than live a lifetime on my knees......

 

[PeteWmass]

really random tangent to this story - I briefly dated Christa Mcauliffe's daughter around 15 years ago -same red hair...