Challenger astronauts remembered on anniversary of shuttle disaster

Dick Scobee was 46 years old when he died aboard Challenger barely a minute into the flight.

Thirty years ago, on an unusually cold day in central Florida, the shuttle Challenger readied for takeoff. They have gray hair. “They knew the risks and still chose to put their lives on the line so that future generations could lead lives made better by advances in science, technology and a deeper understanding of our universe and humanity’s place therein”.

Retired teacher William Dillon represented California in the competition back in the mid-1980s.

Students at Christa McAuliffe Elementary in Green Bay paused to honor a victim of the Challenger disaster.

“I couldn’t breathe”, Preston later confided to a reporter.

She always wanted to be an astronaut.

Families of the lost astronauts are gathering with NASA to mark the space shuttle accident’s anniversary Thursday.

NASA will pay tribute to all its fallen crew members on Thursday during a wreath-laying ceremony.

At Kennedy, rain moved the ceremony indoors, directly in front of the “Forever Remembered” exhibit. As the shuttle took off, all seemed well. Each guest received a rose or carnation to attach to the railing in front of the massive granite mirror. Some were said to have survived the initial breakup of the spacecraft; the exact time of death of each astronaut still remains unknown. She said, “But for those of us who were close to it lost husbands, sons, fathers, it is etched in our memory like it just happened”. I think about the commander.

“I was the Johnson Space Center, with hundred and hundreds of other NASA employees watching the launch and it was just unbelievable”, said Dr. Chuck Wood.

The McAuliffe School, at 167 Hancock Avenue, recognized its namesake by having students perform the school’s song in the morning, and by holding age-appropriate activities for classes throughout the day.

The museum won’t just be remembering the Challenger today. “How out of eleven thousand applicants could somebody from Concord, New Hampshire be selected”. The museum hosted a special trip to the moon for kids today – exactly 30 years after the Challenger disaster. Scott and his sister are now in their 30s. The McAuliffes normally do not take part in these NASA memorials, so Scott’s presence was especially noteworthy.

“You are sitting in the first Challenger Learning Center”, Dr. Carolyn Sumners said.