what space shuttle exploded in 1981

The Space Shuttle Columbia did not explode in 1981. The shuttle that exploded was Challenger , and that disaster happened in 1986.

What happened in 1981

In 1981, Columbia flew the first Space Shuttle mission, STS-1. It experienced a strong shock wave during launch, but it was not destroyed.

Likely confusion

People often mix up:

• Columbia : first shuttle flight in 1981

• Challenger : exploded during launch in 1986

In one line

If you mean the famous shuttle disaster, the answer is Challenger — but that was 1986 , not 1981.