Knoxville residents were saddened and shocked by the Space Shuttle Challenger tragedy 30 years ago on January 28, 1986.
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The space shuttle was destroyed in an explosion over the Atlantic Ocean just 73 seconds after take off.
Among those who’ve remembered the seven Challenger astronauts today at Cape Canaveral in Florida are dozens of educators who had competed with Christa McAuliffe to become the first teacher in space.
“I’ve made nine wonderful friends over the last two weeks and when that shuttle goes there might be one body but there’s going to be 10 souls that I’m taking with me”.
“I can’t even imagine”, said Director of the Eileen Collins Observatory at Corning Community College Deborah Dann.
A commission appointed by President Ronald Reagan found that NASA’s organizational culture and decision-making processes had been key contributing factors to the shuttle accident. Seven astronauts died in the explosion.
But a day like today, also can be a reminder that courage, like the courage displayed by those astronauts 30 years ago, can help to overcome fear.
Many people today are remembering exactly where they were when this happened including CBS 58 Assignment Desk Manager David Wheaton, who was assigned to a navy ship sent to search for debris from the challenger.
“It was sheer disbelief and very hard to accept”, said Cabana, who would end up traveling into space four times in his career. Along with Scott was Alison Smith Balch, daughter of Challenger pilot Michael Smith and Kathie Scobee Fulgham and her brother Air Force Brig.
Fulgham – not Rodgers – was on the stage for Thursday morning’s ceremony at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. You know, I’ve got to document this moment, but in the other side of me, I’m thinking, ‘Oh my gosh.’ You know, I think of Judy Resnik, I think of Christa McAuliffe, I think of all… “Our thoughts and memories of Christa will always be fresh and comforting”. NASA also changed its culture, he says, after learning engineers had raised concerns about the Challenger’s launch before it happened.
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An investigation discovered the O-ring seal on Challenger’s rocket booster failed.
