Columbia
It is now February 2, 2003. One day after the shuttle Columbia disintegrated over Texas. Where was I when this happened. In bed sleeping dreading to have to come in to work on a Saturday. My alarm clock wakes me up every morning to talk radio. It was Saturday so none of the weekday shows were on. I was laying down listening to a garden show. Again, dreading coming into work on a Saturday. The garden show mentioned the Columbia. They didn't really say what happened but I knew if it was being mentioned on a garden show something happened. I turned on the tv and saw the horror of the shuttle streaking through the sky. It was on every channel.
All shuttle catastrophes have been avoided since the Challenger. Where was I when this happened. Sitting in an elementary school class room. The teacher strolled in a tv cart. The same tv cart available in all schools. I was excited. We get to watch some tv while we are doing our school work. The excitement was replaced with loss. I don't remember what the teacher said. That didn't matter to me. I remember the images. Most likely because I am from the tv generation.
It wouldn't have hit so hard if there hadn't been a teacher on board. Many people don't personally know an astronaut but everyone knows a teacher that has taught them. By taught them, I don't mean mathematics or grammar. I mean the special ones you want to become. The ones that that teach you to embrace learning and achievement. I will bet my life that if if wasn't for the special teachers there wouldn't be a space program. I am also willing to bet each one of the astronauts that has died, both in the Challenger and Columbia, could tell you a story of a teacher steering them in the right direction.
What's going to happen now. The same thing that happened with the Challenger tragedy. Nasa will halt all shuttle missions. Determine the cause. Then continue the shuttle missions with more determination.
Before this tragedy, the publics interest in shuttle missions has declined. Shuttle missions have become common place. There have not been any significant milestones since the Mars Pathfinder Project. I am predicting/hoping this tragedy will spring new life in space exploration. I am looking forward to what the next milestone will be.
The Crew
The Shuttle
What's left
Reference:
Photos :: www.cnn.com