Challenger--19 years ago today

[Hutch]

Just saw this over at Bad Astronomy, and while I cannot find it mentioned elsewhere, I thought it was worth mentioning. (Credit to poster Spaced Out at the BABB)

I remember hearing someone say it at work at not believing it--after all, wasn't the American Space program the best, with a string of uniterrrupted successes? Then I saw the TV replay and couldn't believe my eyes. One little spark and....

Francis R. (Dick) Scobee
Michael J. Smith
Judith A. Resnik
Ronald E. McNair
Ellison S. Onizuka
Gregory B. Jarvis
Sharon Christa McAuliffe

 

[Lisa Simpson]

I was in my college biology class when I heard. We were sitting in class, waiting for the teacher to come in and start. He came out, and called one student back into his office. Then a few moments later, she left in tears. He came out into the classroom and said "The Challenger has exploded and all is lost." The student was a niece of Christa MacAuliffe and he was letting her know privately.

This is one of those burned in memories. Very sad, especially since there were warnings about the fault in the o-rings.

 

[coalesce]

I was in a local hardware store buying paint for my basement. We were watching the 13" TV behind the counter when we saw the explosion in disbelief. Some things never leave you.

By the way, there is a wonderful memorial at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida for al the astronauts who gave their lives for progress. We should all see it at least once.

Michael