Remembering Challenger 25 years later - Heritage.org (blog)

Posted 28th January 2011 at 13:00 in current priorities Print this article

America today marks ^the 25th ^anniversary of the tragedy of space shuttle Challenger. On January 28, 1986, has lost seven brave explorers America - Dick Scobee, Michael Smith, Ellison Onizuka, Judith Resnik, Ronald McNair, Gregory Jarvis and Christa McAuliffe - when NASA first time in their history suffered losses during the flight.

The loss of Challenger scored one of those moments in the history of our nation that are memorable, even when you've seen, heard or how to mourn. For millions of Generation X, they were in their classrooms, dining halls and libraries, to attend the historic flight of Christa McAuliffe, teacher in Concord, New Hampshire, whose flight was intended to inspire future generations researchers, scientists, and dreamers.

On the evening of 28 January by President Ronald Reagan addressed the nation from the Oval Office. In an instant, define the character and compassion with the Reagan presidency, he spoke directly to students when he said: "I know it's hard to understand, but sometimes painful things, as this happens, it's all part of the process. exploration and discovery. It is to take a chance and expanding man's horizons. The future does not belong to the fainthearted, it belongs to the brave. The Challenger crew we pulled into the future, and we'll continue to follow him. "

President Reagan also pledged to continue space exploration in America, despite the tragedy, and celebrated the opening of our space program, despite the challenges of our nation in the face of the Cold War: "I've always had great confidence in and respect for our space program, and what happened today, nothing to diminish it. We do not hide our space program. We have no secrets and cover things. We all do it in front and in public. This is the way is clear, and we would not change it for a minute. We will continue our quest in space. "

In less than five minutes, President Reagan with a nation mourned, honored his lost hero and demonstrates our collective will. When Reagan told the nation: "The crew of space shuttle Challenger honored us by the way they lived their lives, we will never forget them, nor the last time we saw this morning as she prepares for the trip. said goodbye and "slipped the surly bonds of earth" feel "the face of God. "