I believe it was released later that with the Challenger that the shuttle's cockpit was blown free, since it was designed to protect the astronauts in case of a crash. It wasn't known whether they were killed in the explosion or not, but it was a given that the impact of the cockpit hitting the water would have killed them instantly.
VP #2 for the Coalition of Angry Micks, and the best goddamn American ever.
"You can tell some lies about the good times you've had/But I've kissed your mother twice and now I'm working on your dad..."