Today marks the 30th anniversary of the Challenger disaster that took the lives of 7 astronauts. A day that I’m sure you can recall ‘where you were’ when the news broke. I was at Lafayette Park Middle School in Kokomo. This particular NASA mission was significant because one teacher in America was to be chosen to join that flight. The first teacher in space…a remarkable first for our space program. A science teacher at my school had applied for that trip of a lifetime, so there was a cool factor for her students. We had spent many days in her class asking her if she would be afraid if she was chosen. I mean, she would be traveling to outer space! It made for many interesting discussions, but she didn’t make the cut. Instead, Christa McAuliffe, a Social Studies teacher from New Hampshire, received that honor. Sadly, one that would end her life.
I can remember being in class that day watching that exciting Space Shuttle launch with so many other students across the country. This was of course ‘pre-internet’ days, so a television was wheeled into our classroom. I can remember seeing the Challenger lift off and take to the skies. The massive amount of smoke and power that was required to launch the shuttle was incredible. As it continued to pick up speed, it appeared to be a typical launch. But just over a minute into it’s flight, Challenger exploded, with debris flying in two different directions. At that point, I can remember our teacher looking concerned and we of course didn’t immediately understand what was happening. It was later that we learned the disaster was caused by the failure of an O-ring seal in the right solid rocket booster at liftoff. It still gives me chills to this day to watch the moment The Challenger explodes. So haunting to see it 30 years later.
(source Armatomic and CNN via YouTube)
President Ronald Reagan later addressed the country. He had a certain style and presence that reminded you of your grandfather speaking to you. I can recall watching him give this speech, and it was comforting.
(source ReaganFoundation via YouTube)
President Reagan concluded by saying these memorable words:
“We will never forget them, not the last time we saw them this morning as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and slipped the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of God,”
Today we remember those brave astronauts…
Payload specialist and First Teacher in Space, Sharon Christa McAuliffe; payload specialist Gregory Jarvis; and astronauts Judith A. Resnik, mission specialist; Francis R. (Dick) Scobee, mission commander; Ronald E. McNair, mission specialist; Mike J. Smith, pilot; and Ellison S. Onizuka, mission specialist.
