25th Anniversary Ceremony at Kennedy Space Center

Challenger STS-51L Memorial
Friday, January 28, 2011--Washington, DC -- Today marks the 25th anniversary of the explosion of the Challenger space shuttle which killed the seven astronauts aboard the spacecraft. This morning, the Astronauts Memorial Foundation held a ceremony in memory of the crew at the Kennedy Space Center's Space Mirror Memorial in Florida. The foundation also honored all astronauts who have lost their life throughout the space program.

On January 28th, 1986, Challenger lifted off the launch pad towards the upper atmosphere. A minute and 13 seconds after take-off the shuttle exploded due to structural failures.  On board were Commander Francis R. (Dick) Scobee, Pilot Michael J. Smith, Mission Specialists Judith A. Resnik, Ronald E. McNair and Ellison S. Onizuka, Payload Specialist Gregory B. Jarvis along with the first teacher to fly into space, Sharon Christa McAuliffe.

Speakers at the remembrance included: Dr. June Scobee Rodgers, widow of Challenger Cmdr. Francis Scobee; Astronauts Memorial Foundation Chairman Michael J. McCulley; NASA Kennedy Space Center and former space shuttle commander Robert D. Cabana along with other space program officials.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration plans to hold multiple ceremonies over the next year in memorial of all space tragedies.

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