Today marks the 35th anniversary of the Challenger tragedy of Jan. 28, 1986. It is a day that we will not forget. On the 30th anniversary, I gave the following testimony to the N.H. House of Representatives. Let me share with you that accounting of one who was there witnessing the event and one who knew and respected Christa’s journey:
On a cold morning, Jan. 28, 1986, seven space explores approach the Challenger Space Shuttle launch site in what would be, unbeknown to them, their last voyage. Our own Christa McAuliffe was a member of the crew.
Christa had competed with 11,000 teachers to be the first citizen to fly in space and to represent the nation’s best in teaching via the Teacher In Space program sponsored by NASA. She was selected not because of her knowledge in science, or space, or math. No. She was selected because she was an excellent teacher, like so many others across the nation. She taught social studies at Concord High School. She challenged her students to be curious, to dream, to challenge themselves, to accept things not as they are but what they ought to be, to find their true passion in life, to have voice for the things they care about, to take risks, to not accept the status quo, to make a difference, to care for others. She was selected because she was a teachers’ teacher. She exemplified all that was good in teaching. She always said, “I touch the future, I teach.”
Christa’s selection excited a nation. For the average citizen, she represented the possibility that they too might become a space traveler. To teachers, she became their voice, their vision of respect for the teaching profession. Prior to her NASA, training she traveled the nation demonstrating a poise and intelligence that was infectious to those she touched. She was gregarious in a humble way. She was the symbol of not just good teaching, but what was good in America.
The launch was delayed for two days because of an unusual cold spell in Florida. On the third morning, the New Hampshire delegation got the word that the launch was a “GO.” There was a heavy frost on the car windows that cold, dark morning.
Located a mile from the launch pad was the VIP section. There was Gov. John Sununu and other elected officials. Grace and Ed Corrigan, Christa’s mother and father. Scott McAuliffe, Christa’s son, class and teachers. The leadership team of NEA New Hampshire – Christa had been an active local leader in the association. And there were many others.
In front of the VIP stands was a large digital clock counting down to launch. Speakers allowed us to hear the monotone voice of mission control in Houston. As the clock counted down, the excitement grew: 10, 9, 8 ignition – from a mile away you could feel the ground shake – 3, 2, 1, blast off. The shuttle took off in a bright, blue clear sky, a perfect launch. Seventy-three seconds into the flight, we heard mission control order, “Power up.” At that moment, puffs of smoke appeared from the shuttle, followed by a fire ball in the sky and the shuttle trajectory was interrupted. Immediately, mission control said, “There has been a malfunction.” Followed quickly by, “There has been a major malfunction.”
Those of us present in the VIP stands had no clue what we had just witnessed. NASA employees appeared immediately and ushered us back to the buses that would return us to the parking lot 30 minutes away. As we traveled, there was little conversation – we still were in the dark to the tragedy, there was no communication from NASA. I had to take my friends to the airport who were scheduled to return to New Hampshire. In the car, I turned on the radio. One of my friends said, “Turn it off.” I did. We traveled to the airport in silent shock still not knowing what had happened to the shuttle.
When we got to the airport, I called Diane, my wife, 90 minutes after the explosion, and was informed all had perished.
Gone were seven lives. All had trained together. They were a crew of space explorers. They knew the danger. They knew the risks.
For those of us who knew Christa, there was immediate concern for Steve, Scott, and Caroline. Gone was the wife and mother. Gone was the teachers’ teacher. Gone was the spokesperson who was so articulate in speaking for the teaching profession. However, on deeper reflection, we saw Christa who taught her student to seek their passion, to be curious, to take risks – she died doing exactly what she taught. She was reaching for her star. That, my friends, is her legacy to us all. Set a life course based on sound tenets and live it well each day.
Sharon Christa McAuliffe: Perhaps her life can best be summed in the words placed on her graveside memorial and written by the person who knew her best, husband Steve. It reads:
Wife, Mother, Teacher
Pioneer Woman
Crew member, Space Shuttle Challenger
American’s first ordinary citizen to venture toward space
She helped people. She laughed. She loved and is loved. She appreciated the world’s natural beauty.
She was curious and sought to learn who we are and what the universe is about. She relied on her own judgment and moral courage to do right. She cared about the suffering of her fellow man. She tried to protect our spaceship earth. She taught her children to do the same.
(Rep. Mel Myler lives in Contoocook.)