Thirty years ago, June Scobee Rogers watched her husband die as the Space Shuttle Challenger broke up over the Atlantic Ocean. The disaster claimed the lives of seven astronauts, including commander Dick Scobee and Christa McAuliffe, who was selected to be the first-ever teacher in space. The tragic event, which saw the shuttle disintegrate just 73 seconds after lift-off, left the American nation in shock on Jan. 28, 1986. In memory of this tragic day, Metro speaks to Dick Scobee’s widow and experts about the disaster’s legacy. June Scobee Rodgers
June Scobee Rodgers.
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Commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Challenger disaster
Widow of Challenger Space Shuttle Commander Dick Scobee
“Fiction of yesterday is real today”
You lost your husband in the Challenger disaster. What do you think NASA has learned and what are your personal feelings towards the disaster?
– I believe our space program took the recommendations to heart. And personally, I learned never to take a loved one or day in my life for granted.
Was their mission important?
– They gave the world an opportunity to focus on the value and serious responsibility of space exploration. And gave our nation an example of hard-working, mission-oriented people who were willing to risk their lives for a purpose of higher calling.
What’s become of the “Challenger family”?
– For the Challenger family (loved ones and friends) it gave us the challenge, then opportunity to continue their “Teacher in Space” mission to create the marvelous Challenger Center to reach millions of students with a leading STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) educational program.
What does the future hold?
– All I can do is pray lessons have been learned about the difference between calculated vs. foolhardy risks.Space systems to move people into space are highly complex. I believe in the testing research, development process and trust the engineers and scientists’ research capabilities as long as safety isn’t neglected and serious responsibility and communication are respected.
Is the science fiction of yesterday real today?
– Yes! I believe we are on the threshold of interplanetary space travel that will eventually lead to interstellar flights. I just wish I could live long enough to see it all come to pass. But for now, we can imagine and wish upon those stars.
Dr. Kris Lehnhardt