On this date, 28 years ago, the Space Shuttle Challenger suffered a fatal malfunction 72 seconds into its ascent. The resulting explosion took the lives of all seven crew members on board, including a woman named Christa McAuliffe, a high-school social studies teacher from New Hampshire who was scheduled to become the first educator in space. The Challenger disaster on Jan 28, 1986 marked the 2nd time American lives were lost in the pursuit of space exploration. It took place, strangely enough, exactly one day after the 19th anniversary of NASAs first tragedy, which occurred on Jan 27 1967 when three astronauts were killed during a routine training exercise in the early days of the Apollo program. Unfortunately, Feb 1st will mark the anniversary of yet another tragedy, that which struck the Columbia Space Shuttle in 2003. In all, 17 Americans have sacrificed their lives for the greater good of our country, and the world as a whole. They did this not on a battlefield with malice in their hearts or with violence in their soul, but on a great celestial frontier in search of knowledge. For the advancement of science and the betterment of the human race. I believe we owe a debt to these men and women. I believe as Carl Sagan believed, that humanity stands on the shore of a vast cosmic ocean. Therefore, I suggest we take the time to honor those who have began to test the water and marvel at such an accomplishment.
Posted on: Tue, 28 Jan 2014 20:24:42 +0000
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