Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster - 25th Anniversary
Reflections of a Historic Moment in Space History
I was 16 years old and a sophomore in high school, living in a small town a couple of hours south of Cape Canaveral, Florida. There was a TV in my English class tuned to a local station for us to watch the countdown to lift off. My teacher, a few other kids and I watched, waiting until Challenger began to lift off before dashing outside to see the space shuttle appear in the sky.
We stood watching in awe as Challenger came into view, loud cheering filled the air. Seconds later, as the space shuttle disappeared into a ball of fire and smoke, all sound stopped as if a switch had been flipped. I couldn't tear my eyes away from the sky. I remember saying "no" over and over, the words coming without thought.
I ran into the classroom along with the teacher and a few other kids. We could do nothing more than stare at the TV, watching the replays while waiting for someone to confirm what we already knew. We turned to each other, tears streaming down our face as grief set in and comforted one another. The broadcasters began to confirm what we already knew, all those aboard Challenger had lost their lives in the explosion. The historic moment we started out watching went horribly wrong. We witnessed a tragic historic moment instead of a joyous one.
At the time I didn't realize how significant that day would become. The impact it had on young, old and in between can still be felt today. We share our stories, hopes and dreams while keeping their memories alive. Out of sadness came so much good. They helped me to realize that no dream is impossible. Live in the moment because you don't know what tomorrow will bring.
As the 25th anniversary of the space shuttle Challenger disaster nears, I can't help but think of the families of the seven astronauts who lost their lives that day. Teacher Christa McAuliffe, the first member of the Teacher in Space Project, Navy Commander Mike Smith, Mission Commander Dick Scobee, Payload Specialist Gregory Jarvis, Mission Specialist Ellison Onizuka, Mission Specialist Ronald McNair, and Mission Specialist Judith Resnik.
During President Ronald Regan's State of the Union Address that night, he said a couple of things that have always stuck with me.
"The future doesn't belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave. The Challenger crew was pulling us into the future, and we'll continue to follow them."
And follow them we have. They inspired countless people both in and out of the space program to pursue their dreams, to make a difference.
The final thought from President Ronald Regan:
"We will never forget them, nor 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."
Ronald Regan; Address to the Nation on the Challenger Disaster, Oval Office, January 28, 1986
Published by Karen Bishop
Karen Bishop is a full-time freelance writer who has hands on experience in many areas including home remedies, home organization, decorating, parenting, grand parenting, pets, crafts, chronic pain issues an... View profile
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14 Comments
Post a CommentChallenger has been the most horrific disaster that NASA has ever suffered! I never could have imagined that something truly horrific would ever happen to the shuttle and her crew. What a horrific tragedy! My heartfelt condolences to the families of the seven astronauts. May the seven Challenger astronauts, live an afterlife of eternal joy and merriment in Heaven, under God's divine love.
Challenger crew, rest in peace!
May they rest in peace! RIP.
This was, is, and always will be, by far the most horrific tragedy that I have ever experienced. I was selected as Christa's backup for the Teacher In Space mission. Back in 2007, I fulfilled the legacy of Christa McAuliffe by flying as the first Educator Astronaut. However, while sadly she was lost in that horrific disaster:
Christa was, is, and always will be, our very first Teacher in Space. She and the six other astronauts are now living an eternal afterlife of immense merriment and joy in Heaven, under the divine love of God and His angels.
May they rest in peace.
I knew that the Challenger was bound for space carrying six astronauts and a teacher- that's Sharon Christa Corrigan McAuliffe-who was a mother of two children and was to teach several lessons from space to the nation's school students.
I was at work that day 25 years ago, and I vividly remember walking over to the lobby to where there was a TV, eager to watch the liftoff.
All of a sudden, I saw people were walking around in a complete state of shock and disbelief as I walked past them to the TV room. At first I could not understand what all the fuss was about. They were talking Abort To Launch, Abort Once Around, Return To Launch Site, etc.
I turned on the TV, and it was pretty horrific! The horrific fate of Challenger destroyed seven innocent astronauts--right in front of America! There was little hope that anyone on board Challenger, could have survived the horrific breakup, or the horrific 9-mile plunge of the intact crew compartment into the ocean at tremendous
very good story. i feel like it was just yesterday...
I was off work that day and was watching the launch on TV when it happened.On 9/11 I was off work and watching TV and saw that tragedy as it occurred. I will call it bad timing for both events since it is nothing to brag about.
Great stuff....that was a sad day
Forgive me! I mean't, "Ronald Regan"! (I need to drink some more tea!)
Poignant reflections of a tragic national moment that touched us all. I did not hear Ronald Reagun's speech, but I love the two quotes from it that you included.
I was was an exchange student in Bern, Swizerland, at the time. It was evening there, and I was at a friend's home watching -- of all things -- a rerun of "Bewitched" dubbed in French. Then the program was interrupted with the news and horrible images. On the one hand, it felt rather distant to me, because I'd been out of the US for nearly 8 months. But on the other, I felt rather isolated and knew what a shock it was "back home" in the States. I wished I could have been home with friends at family at that time...
Wow...It's hard to believe it's been that long! I remember that day like it was yesterday. Nice tribute Karen!