Thirty years ago today. Do you remember?

littlehoot

littlehoot

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The crew of the space shuttle Challenger honored us by the manner in which they lived their lives. We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved good-bye and 'slipped the surly bonds of earth' to 'touch the face of God.

Ronald Reagan
 
THANK YOU! We are honored by such people who fearlessly risk their lives for our country. Thank you for reminding us!
 
I live in Northern Alabama. Huge NASA town over in Huntsville, space camp is there. It's pretty much on everyone's mind today.

I was in grade school and remember it well.
 
I was only six at the time, but I remember the day well. I watched Ronald Reagan's speech again today and was definitely moved.
 
I remember. I was at a restaurant waiting for my take out food, watching the launch on the TV hanging above the counter - it was a big deal back then.

It was quite a shock, still is.

That was a great quote from Regan - thank you for posting.

best
mqqn
 
I came home from school for lunch to watch the Flintstones and still remember watching that event on TV, I may not have had a full understanding of what I saw but I knew it was a big deal and something that was very serious. We talked about it at school and I distinctly remember the images of the school teacher that was aboard. Brave souls they were.
 
littlehoot said:
I live in Northern Alabama. Huge NASA town over in Huntsville, space camp is there. It's pretty much on everyone's mind today.

I was in grade school and remember it well.
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My daughters went to Challenger elementary and middle school in Huntsville. I have many friends and family that work at NASA.....and were involved during that tragic incident
 
Wife and I were driving when we heard the news......sad day and remember it well. Space exploration may be our only hope.....
 
I was a senior at Virginia Tech in Aerospace & Ocean Engineering at the time. I recall cursing one of my house-mates for having a truly sick sense of humor for awakening me early on a day of late classes with the cry "The shuttle just blew up!". I remember sitting and watching in stunned horror as shortly after Mission Control relayed "Challenger, you are 'GO' at throttle up", the shuttle, crew and payload disappeared into a monstrous plume of flame from which only the solid rocket boosters emerged mostly intact to roar unguided to burn-out. I remember Dr. O'Brien, my Aerospace Propulsion Systems 1 & 2 and Intro to Rocket Propulsion instructor, a full professor who divided his time between Tech and research on SCRAM propulsion at Wright-Patterson AFB, and the man that, at the very next class meeting, helped us understand low temperatures and O-ring sealing problems in solid rocket boosters. I won't go into the litany of problems that led to that tragedy but I do remember thinking that, for the first time since Apollo 1 over 19 years prior, the danger of spaceflight was brough home in a way that could not and never should be ignored. A damned shame that, sometimes, it takes a disaster to forcibly point out faulty assumptions and an institutional complacancy that can lead to such a tragic loss in the first place. Never thought of NASA again with the same level of awe that that particular acronym used to inspire in me.
Only bad things happen quickly. Almost anything worth doing requires time, effort and sacrifice. PER ASPERA AD ASTRA: Through Hardship to the Stars. Seldom are those not intimately involved aware of the level of hardship involved. A crappy way to be taught but a valuable lesson to remember.
Pete
 
I remember this ALL too well! :( My third grade teacher at the time was one of the finalists for the teacher in space program. I still credit her, in part, for my love of space and aeronautics, and for choosing the degree path I did.

I remember we were playing soccer on the upper field during gym class, and got called in early. We didn't know why at the time, but we soon found out what had happened. :( We were relieved that our teacher hadn't made the cut, but were extremely sad for what had happened.

RIP the STS-51-L crew. :(
 
Sad day indeed... it was all over the tv.
 
Yesterday was a Happy and sad day for me. I retired from NASA with 30 years of service the Happy ending. The Sad was Our Minute of silence for all the Lives lost in Space Exploration. While it's not an easy task Human Space Flight will always have an acceptable Risk Factor. The hero's who board the Orbiters know all to well that each and every member of the NASA Team has done due diligence to ensure their safe return.

Mike
 
I was in 6th or 7th grade and the class prankster came in saying the shuttle blew up. I don't think anybody believed him at first. Sad day for America. Nice to see they are still remembered for their sacrifice.
 
I was in 5th grade had the coolest teacher ever. Mr. Wilcox

He brought a musket in for show and tell
Played the bagpipes
Had a HAM radio in the room (WA2VAU)


He wheeled in the A/V tv cart and we watched the coverage soon after it happened

He cried

I'll never forget it.
 
I remember when Americans still looked to the heavens with longing. That's the way it felt in the 80's. Every one believed it was only a matter of time until we colonized the moon and left the solar system. It was an interesting time, cell phones were unheard of, Atari was the game system, we were looking to the USSR as a potential war threat, but we BELIEVED interstellar travel was just out of reach and would soon be attained. I'm sad at current thoughts by most on the future of exploration, no one cares, seemingly.
 
littlehoot said:
I remember when Americans still looked to the heavens with longing. That's the way it felt in the 80's. Every one believed it was only a matter of time until we colonized the moon and left the solar system. It was an interesting time, cell phones were unheard of, Atari was the game system, we were looking to the USSR as a potential war threat, but we BELIEVED interstellar travel was just out of reach and would soon be attained. I'm sad at current thoughts by most on the future of exploration, no one cares, seemingly.
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Yep, and I'm a product of that fascination we had with space exploration. Unfortunately, I chose a career in it, and it really pains me to say it like that. :(

The public's loss of desire for space exploration (or even having a space program at all... :rolleyes:) is why I've been looking for a job for 8 months. :grumpy: Half the people I talk to think we're still flying the Space Shuttle. :eek: The general public doesn't seem to realize how that industry drives the future of technology, and it's a pretty sad state of affairs. :thumbdn: :barf:
 
SpyderPhreak said:
Yep, and I'm a product of that fascination we had with space exploration. Unfortunately, I chose a career in it, and it really pains me to say it like that. :(

The public's loss of desire for space exploration (or even having a space program at all... :rolleyes:) is why I've been looking for a job for 8 months. :grumpy: Half the people I talk to think we're still flying the Space Shuttle. :eek: The general public doesn't seem to realize how that industry drives the future of technology, and it's a pretty sad state of affairs. :thumbdn: :barf:
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You are correct that the general public lost interest because Shuttle Launches became routine and Low Earth Orbit was NOT getting the attention of earlier Moon Shots. The Cordless Drill as simple as it is was developed to travel to the moon to drill for soil samples...Now everybody owns one or two of them.

The deals were signed with private companies to supply Space Station so now tax dollars are funding private exploration companies instead of a Federal Government program. NASA is still working on heavy lift launch vehicles, but watch for the launch of the new Orion MPCV...Multi purpose crew vehicle.

The Engineers of the '60's-'70's built the most complex sophisticated machine ever...its mind boggling when you see all the sub-systems it takes to operate a vehicle capable of space travel built by the lowest bidder...they did it without computers...
 
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