Schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe watches a successful launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger after being selected to join a later mission in January 1986, which would ultimately end in disaster. Oct. 30, 1985. [1427×2048]
I also can’t imagine how traumatic it was for her students to watch her die…live…inside their school on what was supposed to be such a celebratory day.
Fun fact: The woman on the left is Barbara Morgan, McAuliffe's back up for the mission. She completed the same training as Christa and was ready to replace her up until the day of the launch. Morgan later flew on the Endeavour in 2007.
Edit: Here are some more images of Christa and Barbara
![image showing Schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe watches a successful launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger after being selected to join a later mission in January 1986, which would ultimately end in disaster. Oct. 30, 1985. [1427×2048]](41d7ed8f-72b1-5d03-ada3-d9a9223fe81c.jpg)
thefluxthing on June 10th, 2021 at 22:41 UTC »
As a teacher, she is incredibly inspiring.
I also can’t imagine how traumatic it was for her students to watch her die…live…inside their school on what was supposed to be such a celebratory day.
Chris_Moyn on June 10th, 2021 at 22:48 UTC »
My sister's teacher was one of the finalists for that trip, I can't imagine watching someone you hung out with and aspired to be blow up like that
TheLastOyster on June 11st, 2021 at 00:23 UTC »
Fun fact: The woman on the left is Barbara Morgan, McAuliffe's back up for the mission. She completed the same training as Christa and was ready to replace her up until the day of the launch. Morgan later flew on the Endeavour in 2007.
Edit: Here are some more images of Christa and Barbara
Taking a break
Briefed in the galley
In the shuttle simulator (with Payload Specialist Greg Jarvis)
Practicing with the Arriflex camera
Zero-g training