How long was the US space program shut down as a result of the explosion of space shuttle Challenger? The U.S. space shuttle program was grounded for 32 months following the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster on January 28, 1986. The explosion occurred 73 seconds after launch, killing all seven crew members. NASA suspended shuttle flights … Continue reading Imagine what a Starship launch pad explosion would do to Cape Canaveral & Cocoa Beach