The crew were likely alive, but not conscious. The crew capsule experienced high g force on multiple axis' pretty quickly after the explosion. That's enough f

The crew were likely alive, but not conscious. The crew capsule experienced high g force on multiple axis' pretty quickly after the explosion. That's enough force to put even the best fighter pilots to sleep VERY quickly. Nasa also concluded that the emergency air system wouldn't have been sufficient to maintain consciousness with a complete loss of cabin pressure at their altitude. (https://www.nasa.gov/missions/space-shuttle/sts-51l/challenger-crew-report/ https://www.nasa.gov/missions/space-shuttle/sts-51l/challeng...). The emergency air system was designed for an evacuation on the ground, not at altitude.