A two-part study investigated the speed with which information about the explosion of the space shuttle "Challenger" was disseminated and the information holding and affect differences associated with different media channels. In the first part of the study, cross-sectional data were collected from 119 college undergraduates within 54 hours of the explosion through means of a questionnaire that asked how they had reacted to the explosion, how they had heard about it, and other pertinent information. In addition, the students completed a general knowledge questionnaire one week later about a variety of news topics and about the space program. In the second part of the study, 40 students were asked to monitor the news on only one of three media--radio, television, or newspapers. Findings showed that television-reliant students were more knowledgeable about the disaster than were newspaper- or radio-reliant students. The television-reliant students also possessed more accurate technical information and were more likely to recall accurately the details of the explosion. A model composed of expertise, diffusion variables, motivational factors, and affective reactions accounted for significant amounts of the total variance in facts recalled. Tables and figures are provided. (FL)