18 years ago today

[Lindaloo]

We lost the Space Shuttle Challenger. It did not realize what had happened for a few minutes. I thought it was normal. Very sad!!

[David]

Wow.. didn't know it was today.

[weatherluvr]

I can't believe it's been 18 years already. I was a senior in high school, in a study hall, when my physics teacher came in to tell us the news. I really didn't know what to think until I got home and saw the TV footage, that's when it really hit home. A very sad day.

[Stephanie]

I remember when that happened - I just can't believe it's been 18 years!

Unfortunately, we'll be coming up on another shuttle disaster next month..

[Skywatch_NC]

And the Columbia disaster anniversary is February 1st...as Steph alluded to.

[Rainband]

NO MONEY FOR MARS OR THE MOON..Until we can guarantee that we have decreased the chance as much as possible for a Third shuttle and it's crew to be lost to human decision and the lack of it Sorry but that day is burned in my mind and it really upsets me everytime I think of the Discovery channel special and Morton Thyecols warnings about booster problems in cold weather.

[Miss Mary]

What a tragic day that was. So very sad. I was enrolled in college classes then, full-time days. With 18-22 year olds. I was 30 then. I worked part-time in the registrar's office and the registrar told me between classes what happened. Everyone was stumbling around on campus in a daze. No one could believe it. It really hit home on campus too, because America's first teacher in space was aboard. I remember reading she had little children. They would be almost grown now. Thanks Linda for this timely reminder. I'm going to take a few minutes to pray for the victims and their families.

[Anonymous]

18 years! I was the flagbearer at school for that day (yea, they gave that job to the 4th graders, go figure), so I had to go out and lower our flag to half-mast after we found out... my how time passes.

[Guest]

I was in my last year of college - Executive Communication class - professor walked in - said space shuttle exploded. Everyone go. My two roommates were from ClearLake and they were friends with the kids of the astronauts that died.

Wow time flies doesn't it. 18 years ago.

[weatherlover427]

I was nearly 4 years old at the time so I don't remember it really, but I'll be praying for the victims as well. May they RIP.

[azskyman]

Strange how we remember where we were, who we were with, and some particulars about that moment in our lives.

So too do I remember President Kennedy' assasination, the beginning of the Gulf War, and both shuttle disasters....not to mention 9/11.

That moment is still as sad today as it was back then.

[stormraiser]

I was in High School watching it on TV, in class. Boy was that a hard thing to watch. That was the first time a teacher went up into space.

[CaptinCrunch]

I was in High School watching it on TV, in class. Boy was that a hard thing to watch. That was the first time a teacher went up into space.

Same for me, I was in History class watching the whole thing live...

[weatherluvr]

I was in High School watching it on TV, in class. Boy was that a hard thing to watch. That was the first time a teacher went up into space.

That's what made it even worse, that so many school kids were watching because of the "Teacher in Space" thing. I remember seeing clips of children in auditoriums, watching the launch live, in tears and shock.

And you're right, Johnathon, the whole thing could have been avoided if NASA didn't unnecessarily push the safety envelope. A seal failure had occured a year before in another cold weather launch, but not on the side facing the external tank. They knew they had a problem, but they didn't do enough research to prevent a tragedy.

[furluvcats]

I remember too. I was in high school as well, at lunch, watching the TV in the atrium, where we all gathered. It was also my mothers birthday. Thats one of the first tradgedys I remember. Thanks for memorializing this Lin.

[DaylilyDawn]

At the place we were living at the time, we could see the shuttle launchs after they got above the tree top level. We were were standing outside watching for it when we saw it happen. For many years afterward I could not even see footage of it with out tears coming into my eyes.

[vbhoutex]

Strange how we remember where we were, who we were with, and some particulars about that moment in our lives.

So too do I remember President Kennedy' assasination, the beginning of the Gulf War, and both shuttle disasters....not to mention 9/11.

That moment is still as sad today as it was back then.

Same for me Steve!!! I will never forget!!

And I agree that no more money should go to big programs till we can assure as much as we can that those types of disasters will not happen again. I know some are unavoidable, but from what I have seen these were avoidable tragedies(shuttle disasters).

[Lindaloo]

Astronauts know that when you venture into the unknown nothing is a certainty. They are explorers. They know the risks involved.

[GulfBreezer]

WOW, I remember.............my son was a baby (now 19!!) and was laying on the living room floor and they interrupted the Price is Right with the news! How so very sad that was. I remember sitting there crying as they kept playing it over and over and showing the pictures of all those aboard! A very sad day indeed!

[bfez1]

I remember it well. I was in awe when I finally realized what had happened. Very sad day indeed.