Grim Anniversary

Thirty-seven years ago, I was a sophomore in college and dating a computer science major who dearly loved NASA and even had simplified schematics that were in available for the shuttle. He was pole-axed by the explosion, and we watched it over and over as it was replayed for hours. He pointed to a section of debris as it fell and said that it was the crew cabin and that they were alive during that part of the fall. He was right--that came out some time later.

Remembering those who died that day: F Richard Scobee [Commander], Michael J Smith [Pilot], Ronald McNair [Mission Specialist], Ellison Ozinuka [Mission Specialist], Judith Resnik [Mission Specialist], Gregory Jarvis [Payload Specialist], and teacher Christa McAuliffe [Payload Specialist]. Because McCaullife was participating in the Teacher in Space Project, children were watching the launch on television all over the world and saw the explosion live. I did not, I'd been in a lecture, but heard about it at the Student Center at UK and went straight to the TV room with my boytfriend. The Space Shuttle programme was paused for years, resuming eventually until it was finally shelved for good after the Columbia disaster in 2003.

The three worst disasters in the American space programme all happened within a single week in different years. The Apollo 1 fire killed three astronauts in a test on January 27 (1967). The Challenger happened on January 28 (1986). The Columbia shuttle, which broke up on re-entry was on February 1 (2003). We are approaching the 20th anniversary of the Columbia disaster.

Remembering the men and women who sought to touch the stars and their loved ones at this time.

Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster.