New Hampshire’s history is full of interesting people and places. You can see living history in the form of forests and parks that dot the landscape. But, today we’re remembering a New Hampshire woman who we lost far too young. She was laid to rest here in the Granite State and we’d like to take a moment to remember her.
On January 28th, 1986, the NASA Shuttle Challenger set out for its tenth flight to space.
By NASA - http://www.nbcnews.com/slideshow/technologyandscience/the-challenger-tragedy-in-pictures-41180120, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=59211933
Aboard the shuttle were seven crew members, which consisted of 5 astronauts and 2 payload specialists. These crew members were people who had specific skills and who were specially trained to take part in the mission.
By NASA - NASA Human Space Flight Gallery (image link), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=181762
One of these payload specialists was Christa McAuliffe, a social studies teacher from Concord High School in New Hampshire.
nasa2explore / Flickr
McAuliffe was selected to be the first teacher in space out of more than 11,500 applicants.
nasa2explore / Flickr She trained alongside the astronauts and her school in New Hampshire was excitedly watching the launch. It is estimated that 17% of Americans were watching the televised shuttle launch mainly due to McAuliffe’s participation.
But, the morning of the launch was unusually cold.
By NASA - Great Images in NASA Description, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6450165
As a result of the cold, important seals allowed pressurized burning gas to enter into other areas of the structure. 73 seconds after takeoff, the Shuttle Challenger broke apart mid-flight killing everyone on board.
dullhunk / Flickr
Today, there’s a memorial to the Challenger in Arlington National Cemetery, which is where some of those on board have been laid to rest.
By Jtesla16 - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6930389
However, Christa McAuliffe was laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery on N. Main Street in Concord, New Hampshire.
Concord Civil Air Patrol / Flickr Her inscription reads:
Wife mother teacher
PIONEER WOMAN
Crew member, space shuttle Challenger America’s first ordinary citizen to venture toward space
Christa McAuliffe was truly a pioneer. And she understood the importance of education. She had a vision and worked hard to make that vision a reality through her teaching, her message and her efforts to become the first teacher in space. You can visit her grave at Calvary Cemetery. When you do, take a moment to consider her bravery.
By NASA - http://www.nbcnews.com/slideshow/technologyandscience/the-challenger-tragedy-in-pictures-41180120, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=59211933
By NASA - NASA Human Space Flight Gallery (image link), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=181762
nasa2explore / Flickr
She trained alongside the astronauts and her school in New Hampshire was excitedly watching the launch. It is estimated that 17% of Americans were watching the televised shuttle launch mainly due to McAuliffe’s participation.
By NASA - Great Images in NASA Description, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6450165
dullhunk / Flickr
By Jtesla16 - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6930389
Concord Civil Air Patrol / Flickr
Her inscription reads:
Wife mother teacher
PIONEER WOMAN
Crew member, space shuttle Challenger America’s first ordinary citizen to venture toward space
For more New Hampshire history, check out these 12 photos that show what life was like a very long time ago!
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