This Week Marks the 30th Anniversary of the Challenger Explosion

(Newswire.net — January 25, 2016) Richland Hills, Texas — On its Day of Remembrance, Thursday, January 28th, NASA will honor those who lost their lives not only in the Challenger accident, but also the crews from Apollo 1 and Columbia as well.

For those who are old enough to remember, the bravery of the Challenger crew and the events of  that painful day remain like a bright light in the minds of most.

Described by many within NASA as the worst day for the agency in its history, the Challenger disaster, which grounded the space shuttle program for almost three years, also taught NASA and the entire nation some invaluable lessons.

Former NASA Public Affairs Director Hugh Harris, following the events of that day, has subsequently written, “While it is always more fun to look back and celebrate the great successes in our lives, it is important to remember the lessons that failures provide.  The dedicated workforce, along with the help of a Presidential Commission, quickly found the cause of the accident.  Fixing it took a bit longer.  But after two and a half years, the space shuttle was flying again.”

On Thursday, January 28th, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, Deputy Administrator Dava Newman, and other senior agency officials will hold an observance and wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia starting at 9 a.m. EST.

Prior to the flight, Teacher in Space participant Christa McAuliffe was asked by Bryant Gumbel, while making an appearance on the Today Show, if she was nervous.  “Not yet,” she said.  “Maybe when I’m strapped in and those rockets are going off underneath me I will be, but space flight today really seems safe.”

Had the trip gone safely, Christa McAuliffe would have celebrated her 67th birthday today.