Crew members of Challenger mission STS-51L gather in the White Room at Pad 39B following the end of the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. The Challenger crew poses for a photo. From left to right: Christa McAuliffe, Gregory Jarvis, Judith Resnik, Francis Richard "Dick" Scobee, Ronald McNair, Michael Smith, Ellison Onizuka Credit: NASA / Courtesy

Each member of the Challenger crew was an explorer in their own way. Beyond space, the seven crew members held varied interests and backgrounds. They remained united in their desire to voyage beyond Earth and push science forward. And they are remembered for their legacy of pursuing one’s dreams and their enduring value of education.

Click below to read each crew member’s profile. Visit our Christa’s Legacy project page to read more.

This Sept. 26, 1985 photo made available by NASA shows astronaut Sharon Christa McAuliffe. The high school teacher from Concord, N.H., never got to teach from space. She perished during the 1986 launch of shuttle Challenger, along with her six crewmates. (NASA via AP)
Christa McAuliffe poses for a photo on Sept. 26, 1985.

Teacher in Space, Payload Specialist Christa McAuliffe

Dick Scobee’s official NASA portrait. Credit: NASA / Courtesy

Commander Francis Richard “Dick” Scobee

Michael Smith poses in his official NASA portrait. Credit: NASA / Courtesy

Pilot Michael Smith

Ellison Onizuka’s NASA portrait. Credit: NASA / Courtesy

Mission Specialist Ellison Onizuka

Judy Resnik’s official NASA portrait. Credit: NASA / Courtesy

Mission Specialist Judith Resnik

Ronald McNair’s official NASA portrait.

Mission Specialist Ronald McNair

Gregory Jarvis’s official NASA portrait Credit: NASA / Courtesy

Payload Specialist Gregory Jarvis

Rachel is the community editor. She spearheads the Monitor's arts coverage with The Concord Insider and Around Concord Magazine. Rachel also reports on the local creative economy, cold cases, accessibility...