"Discovery of the Challenger Space Shuttle: Unveiling a Forgotten Tragedy"

Jimmy, do you have it? Jimmy, coffee! Jimmy, I talked to you. I found something over here, really big.

Since I moved to Florida 21 years ago, I've averaged about two to three wreck identifications annually, an impressive track record. Mike Barnett and his dive team are seasoned veterans of the Bermuda Triangle, having uncovered and identified over 50 shipwrecks. Their efforts have resulted in a unique map of unidentified wrecks.

Their most valuable insights come from years of face-to-face conversations with local fishermen. These fishermen may know where the wrecks are, but they often lack knowledge about what these wrecks are. They are, however, aware that something lies on the ocean floor beneath.

Today, the team is embarking on dives to explore two of Barnett's target sites from the Bermuda Triangle region. These sites might be connected to one of the most enigmatic stories of the region: Flight 19. While the tale of Flight 19 is relatively well-known, a less-familiar but equally mysterious story is that of the Martin Mariner.

On December 5, 1945, a squadron of five Navy bombers, known as Flight 19, took off from Fort Lauderdale Naval Air Station for a training mission under the codename "Flight 19." Around 5 PM, the pilots radioed in, reporting that they were lost and their compass was malfunctioning. They subsequently vanished somewhere within the Bermuda Triangle.

Hours later, a Martin Mariner seaplane was dispatched to rescue the five planes from Flight 19, but it too disappeared without a trace. Approximately 30 minutes after its launch, the Martin Mariner vanished from radar, and a passing vessel reported an explosion or fire in the area. This marked one of the first incidents to truly capture public attention and give rise to the concept of the Bermuda Triangle.

For the team, diving at these sites is of particular interest since they are directly above the flight path of the Martin Mariner. Mike Barnett is especially intrigued as he believes these sites might contain clues connected to this enduring mystery.

While conducting a dive, the team makes a remarkable discovery that stands out from their previous findings. It is unique and distinct from anything they've encountered before. They find rubber-like panels covering the exterior and stark white material that is anything but ordinary. Their discovery hints at being part of an aircraft, possibly even linked to space.

After reviewing the newly obtained footage, the full team regroups onshore to analyze their discovery. They come across orange panels and white materials. Mike Barnett has his doubts, wondering if this could be related to aviation.

To gain further insights, the team invites Bruce Melnick, a two-time shuttle astronaut, to review the footage. He identifies the pieces as belonging to the Challenger space shuttle, a discovery that sends chills down their spines. The Challenger space shuttle explosion was one of the most tragic incidents in the history of the American space program.

The Challenger disaster occurred on January 28, 1986, and it resulted from a major malfunction. In the following months, the U.S. Navy conducted a massive salvage operation to recover over 120 tons of wreckage. However, nothing new was discovered until now.

The team is now planning to take their find directly to NASA. However, they are acutely aware of the sensitive nature of space shuttle debris. They are uncertain about how NASA will react to their discovery.

During their meeting with Mike Chianelli, a program director at NASA overseeing the legacy of the Challenger space shuttle, it becomes evident that the coordinates of their discovery lie outside of the commonly recognized Bermuda Triangle area. Mike expresses his doubts regarding how NASA will respond to their find, given the sensitivity of space shuttle debris.

After viewing the footage and understanding the coordinates, Mike Chianelli shows genuine interest in their discovery. He believes that the debris likely originates from the Challenger.

NASA confirms that the coordinates of the site fall within the debris trail of the Challenger. Mike Chianelli emphasizes the significance of the find, particularly since the debris hasn't been recovered for over 20 years.

Mike Chianelli views this discovery as a moment of reflection, connecting people back to the purpose of space exploration and the legacy of the Challenger. The Challenger disaster is a significant part of history, and this discovery may change the future for the better.

The team is overwhelmed with emotion, recognizing the importance of their find. It connects them to a historic event and serves as a testament to the Challenger's enduring legacy.