25th anniversary of the Challenger disaster

I was twenty-three years old when it happened. I stopped in the middle of vacuuming to watch the launch and when the ship exploded I remember whispering the word no over and over as I dropped to my knees in front of my console TV. It hit me like a punch to the gut, the Y formation of the debris and smoke, the thoughts of those amazing people being blown into pieces in front of their families and the world.

Being a geek and a space nut, seeing that was horrific, for in that ship rested the best of us at the time. Brave people with their eyes fixed on the vastness of space, of the infinite possibilities that rest there. They were going to open yet more doors to our future and let us see what was to come.

I will never forget them, they gave their lives to what they believed in. Someday we will go to where they dreamed and beyond and ships will bear the name of their ship and of them as well. Thank you, all seven of you for your sacrifice.



(Below was copied from an online source to save my not yet awake fingers) Source; http://news.yahoo.com/s/ac/7536912_the_challenger_seven_astronauts

Michael J. Smith

Captain Smith was born in Beaufort, N.C., on April 30, 1945. He was a graduate of the Naval Academy in 1967. He served a tour in Vietnam. Smith was chosen as a NASA astronaut candidate in 1980. Smith was chosen as the pilot for Challenger flight STS-51L as his first shuttle mission. He was survived by his wife, the former Jane Jarrell, and their three children, Scott, Alison and Erin.

Dick Scobee

Scobee was born in Cle Elum, Wash., on May 19, 1939. He enlisted in the Air Force and, as part of the Airmans Education and Commissioning Program he completed a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering at the University of Arizona and subsequently received an officer's commission. After pilot training, Scobee served a tour in Vietnam. After serving for several years as a test pilot, Scobee was selected as an astronaut candidate in 1978. Before serving as the command pilot of Challenger STS 51-L, Scobee was the pilot on Challenger 41-C. Scobee was survived by his wife June and children Kathie R. (Scobee) Fulgham and Colonel Richard W. Scobee, USAF.

Ronald McNair

McNair was born in Lake City, S.C., on Oct. 21, 1950. He received his Ph.D at MIT. Before being selected as a NASA astronaut in 1978 McNair worked for Hughes Labs developing lasers for various applications. He flew on Challenger STS 41B as a mission specialist before being assigned to STS 51L. McNair was survived by his wife Cheryl Moore and children Reginald Ervin and Joy Cheray.

Ellison Onizuka

Ellison Onizuka was born in Kealakekua, Kona, Hawaii, on June 24, 1946. He received a master's degree in aerospace engineering at the University of Colorado. Onizuka served as an aerospace flight test engineer for the U.S. Air Force. He was selected as a NASA astronaut in 1978 and flew on Discovery STS 51-c as a mission specialist. Onizuka is survived by his wife Lorna Leiko Yoshida and two daughters, Janelle Onizuka-Gillilan and Darien Lei Shizue Onizuka-Morgan.

Gregory Jarvis

Jarvis was born in Detroit on Aug. 24, 1944. He received a master's degree in electrical engineering at Northeastern University. After a stint in the Air Force he worked on satellite design for Hughes Aerospace. Jarvis became a NASA astronaut in 1984. Challenger 51-L was to be his first shuttle flight as a payload specialist. Jarvis is survived by his wife Marcia G. Jarboe.

Judith Resnik

Resnik was born in Akron, Ohio, on April 5, 1949. She received a Ph.D in electrical engineering at the University of Maryland. Previous to her selection by NASA as an astronaut Resnik worked at RCA, Xerox, and at the National Institute for Health. She previously flew on Discovery 41-D as a mission specialist. Resnik, who was divorced at the time of her death, was survived by a brother, Charles, and her parents Marvin and Sarah.

Christa McAuliffe

McAuliffe was born in Boston on Sept. 2, 1948, and received a master's degree in education at Maryland. She taught in various junior highs and high schools in Maryland and New Hampshire, including Concord High School in Concord, N.H. McAuliffe was chosen for the Teacher in Space Program by NASA in 1985. She was survived by her husband Steven and two children, Scott and Caroline.