51L-10162 (8-9 March 1986) --- View of the left solid rocket booster first piece retrieval #11 (STS-51L space shuttle Challenger). Photo credit: NASA

S84-39408 (6 Aug. 1984) --- Astronaut Francis R. Scobee, commander. Photo credit: NASA (NOTE: Astronaut Scobee died in the STS-51L space shuttle Challenger accident Jan. 28, 1986.)

S85-25624 (1985) --- Astronaut Gregory B. Jarvis, payload specialist. Photo credit: NASA (NOTE: Since this portrait was taken, Jarvis died in the STS-51L space shuttle Challenger explosion, on Jan. 28, 1986.)

S86-25196 (January 1986) --- Sharon Christa McAuliffe, STS-51L citizen observer/payload specialist, gets a preview of microgravity during a special flight aboard NASA?s KC-135 ?zero gravity? aircraft. McAuliffe will represent the Teacher-in-Space Project aboard the space shuttle Challenger when it launches later this month. This photograph was taken by Keith Meyers of the New York Times. EDITOR?S NOTE: The STS-51L crew members lost their lives in the space shuttle Challenger accident moments after launch on Jan. 28, 1986 from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Photo credit: NASA

S85-40173 (5 Sept. 1985) --- In Johnson Space Center’s (JSC) Astronaut Office, astronaut F. Richard (Dick) Scobee, STS-51L mission commander, takes a break from training for his upcoming space mission. EDITOR’S NOTE: The STS-51L crew members lost their lives in the space shuttle Challenger accident moments after launch on Jan. 28, 1986 from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Photo credit: NASA

S85-40174 (5 Sept. 1985) --- In Johnson Space Center’s (JSC) Astronaut Office, astronaut Michael J. Smith, STS-51L pilot, looks over part of the flight plan for his upcoming space mission. EDITOR’S NOTE: The STS-51L crew members lost their lives in the space shuttle Challenger accident moments after launch on January 28, 1986 from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Photo credit: NASA

S86-25180 (October 1985) --- Sharon Christa McAuliffe, STS-51L citizen observer/payload specialist, representing the Teacher-in-Space Project, floats forward and upward during a few moments of weightlessness aboard a KC-135 aircraft. The flight is part of her training for the scheduled five-day flight aboard the Challenger in January of next year. Barbara R. Morgan, backup payload specialist for STS-51L, is partially visible in the background. The photo was taken by Keith Meyers of the New York Times. Photo credit: NASA

51L-S-029 (28 Jan. 1986) --- Crew members of the STS-51L mission are seated for breakfast launch morning in the Operations and Checkout Building prior to liftoff of the space shuttle Challenger scheduled for 9:38 a.m. The launch was scheduled for Jan. 27, 1986, but was delayed 24 hours due to unacceptable cross winds. Crew members left to right are Ellison S. Onizuka, mission specialist; Sharon Christa McAuliffe, payload specialist; Michael J. Smith, pilot; Francis R. Scobee, commander; Judith A. Resnik and Dr. Ronald E. McNair, mission specialists; and Gregory D. Jarvis, payload specialist. EDITOR?S NOTE: The STS-51L crew members lost their lives in the space shuttle Challenger accident moments after launch on Jan. 28, 1986 from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Photo credit: NASA

51L-S-127 (31 Jan. 1986) --- A wide angle lens was used to capture only a portion of the crowd gathered for memorial services for the seven members of the STS-51L Challenger crew at the Johnson Space Center. President Ronald Reagan speaks at the lectern at far left edge of the frame. The photographer for the picture was positioned on a large platform erected to accommodate the many members of the news media on hand for the event. Photo credit: NASA

S86-25293 (30 Oct. 1985) --- Barbara R. Morgan and Sharon Christa McAuliffe (right) are pictured during a visit to NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Launch Complex 39 to witness the launch of the space shuttle Challenger. McAuliffe is scheduled to launch aboard the space shuttle Challenger, STS-51L mission, herself early next year as the United States? first in-space citizen observer. Morgan is the backup for the Teacher-in-Space Project?s payload specialist position. The photo was taken by Keith Meyers of the New York Times. EDITOR'S NOTE: The STS-51L crew members lost their lives in the space shuttle Challenger accident moments after launch on Jan. 28, 1986 from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Photo credit: NASA

S86-25294 (30 Oct. 1985) --- Barbara R. Morgan and Sharon Christa McAuliffe (right) are pictured during a visit to NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Launch Complex 39 to witness the launch of the space shuttle Challenger. McAuliffe is scheduled to launch aboard the space shuttle Challenger, STS-51L mission, herself early next year as the United States? first in-space citizen observer. Morgan is the backup for the Teacher-in-Space Project?s payload specialist position. The photo was taken by Keith Meyers of the New York Times. EDITOR?S NOTE: The STS-51L crew members lost their lives in the space shuttle Challenger accident moments after launch on Jan. 28, 1986 from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Photo credit: NASA

S86-25192 (January 1986) --- Two payload specialists in training for the STS-51L mission, and a payload specialist from STS-61C share a ?zero-gravity? flight aboard a KC-135 aircraft over the Gulf of Mexico. Left to right are United States Representative Bill Nelson (Democrat, Florida), Sharon Christa McAuliffe, and Barbara R. Morgan. The congressman is a payload specialist for the STS-61C mission. McAuliffe is the prime payload specialist for the Teacher-in-Space Project aboard the STS-51L mission; and Morgan is her backup. The photo was taken by Keith meyers of the New York Times. EDITOR?S NOTE: The STS-51L crew members lost their lives in the space shuttle Challenger accident moments after launch on Jan. 28, 1986 from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Photo credit: NASA

S86-25964 (31 Jan. 1978) --- Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka. Photo credit: NASA (NOTE: Astronaut Onizuka lost his life in the Jan. 28, 1986, STS-51L space shuttle Challenger accident, along with six other crew members.)

S85-41239 (26 Sept. 1985) --- Astronaut Sharon Christa McAuliffe, payload specialist Teacher in Space Project. NOTE: Payload specialist/teacher McAuliffe died in the STS-51L space shuttle Challenger accident, Jan. 28, 1986. Photo credit: NASA

Kathie Scobee Fulgham, Astronauts Memorial Foundation chair and daughter of Challenger astronaut Francis “Dick” Scobee, delivers remarks honoring fallen astronauts who lost their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery during NASA’s annual Day of Remembrance on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, at the Space Mirror Memorial at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Those remembered include the crews of Apollo 1, Challenger STS-51L, and Columbia STS-107.

51L-S-156 (28 Jan. 1986) --- The space shuttle Challenger lifted off from Pad 39B Jan. 28, 1986 at 11:38 a.m. (EST) with a crew of seven astronauts and the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS). An accident 73 seconds after liftoff claimed both crew and vehicle. Photo credit: NASA

51L-S-002 (28 Jan. 1986) --- Flight directors Jay H. Greene (foreground) and Alan L. (Lee) Briscoe study data on monitors at their consoles in the flight control room (FCR) of the Johnson Space Center's Mission Control Center. The photo was made just moments after the announcement came that Challenger's launch phase was not nominal. Photo credit: NASA

S86-25183 (for release January 1986) --- Sharon Christa McAuliffe, STS-51L payload specialist representing the Teacher-in-Space Project, descends from a mock-up of the space shuttle using a sky-genie device during an emergency training session in the Johnson Space Center?s (JSC) Shuttle Mock-up and Integration Laboratory. The photograph was taken by Keith Meyers of the New York Times. EDITOR?S NOTE: The STS-51L crew members lost their lives in the space shuttle Challenger accident moments after launch on Jan. 28, 1986 from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Photo credit: NASA

S86-30460 (9 Jan. 1986) --- NASA's STS-51L crew members pose for photographs during a break in countdown training at the White Room, Launch Complex 39, Pad B. Left to right are Teacher-in-Space payload specialist Sharon Christa McAuliffe; payload specialist Gregory Jarvis; and astronauts Judith A. Resnik, mission specialist; Francis R. (Dick) Scobee, mission commander; Ronald E. McNair, mission specialist; Mike J. Smith, pilot; and Ellison S. Onizuka, mission specialist. EDITOR'S NOTE: The STS-51L crew lost their lives in an explosion, onboard the space shuttle Challenger, following launch Jan. 28, 1986. Photo credit: NASA

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A wreath is displayed at the foot of the Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida during a ceremony to honor space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L crew members who gave their lives for while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the loss of Challenger, which broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean 73 seconds into flight on Jan. 28, 1986. NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Michael McCulley, former astronaut and chairman of the Astronauts Memorial Foundation, speaks to a crowd gathered in front of the Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida to honor space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L crew members who gave their lives for while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the loss of Challenger, which broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean 73 seconds into flight on Jan. 28, 1986. NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A crowd gathers in front of the Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida to honor space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L crew members who gave their lives for while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the loss of Challenger, which broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean 73 seconds into flight on Jan. 28, 1986. NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A wreath is displayed at the foot of the Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida during a ceremony to honor space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L crew members who gave their lives for while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the loss of Challenger, which broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean 73 seconds into flight on Jan. 28, 1986. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A crowd lays roses and pays their respects space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L crew members who gave their lives for while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. They gathered for a memorial ceremony in front of the Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the loss of Challenger, which broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean 73 seconds into flight on Jan. 28, 1986. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Former astronaut and NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana speaks to a crowd gathered in front of the Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida to honor space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L crew members who gave their lives for while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the loss of Challenger, which broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean 73 seconds into flight on Jan. 28, 1986. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A crowd gathers in front of the Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida to honor space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L crew members who gave their lives for while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the loss of Challenger, which broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean 73 seconds into flight on Jan. 28, 1986. NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations William Gerstenmaier speaks to a crowd gathered in front of the Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida to honor space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L crew members who gave their lives for while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the loss of Challenger, which broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean 73 seconds into flight on Jan. 28, 1986. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Rick Soria, the 2009 Alan Shepard Technology in Education Award winner, speaks to a crowd gathered in front of the Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida to honor space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L crew members who gave their lives for while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the loss of Challenger, which broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean 73 seconds into flight on Jan. 28, 1986. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Former astronaut and Chairman of The Astronauts Memorial Foundation Michael McCulley speaks to a crowd gathered in front of the Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida to honor space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L crew members who gave their lives for while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the loss of Challenger, which broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean 73 seconds into flight on Jan. 28, 1986. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations William Gerstenmaier speaks to a crowd gathered in front of the Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida to honor space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L crew members who gave their lives for while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the loss of Challenger, which broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean 73 seconds into flight on Jan. 28, 1986. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Former astronaut and NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana speaks to a crowd gathered in front of the Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida to honor space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L crew members who gave their lives for while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the loss of Challenger, which broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean 73 seconds into flight on Jan. 28, 1986. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Stephen Feldman, president of the Astronauts Memorial Foundation, speaks to a crowd gathered in front of the Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida to honor space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L crew members who gave their lives for while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the loss of Challenger, which broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean 73 seconds into flight on Jan. 28, 1986. NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mick Ukleja, from The Astronauts Memorial Foundation, provides the invocation in front of the Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida to honor space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L crew members who gave their lives for while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the loss of Challenger, which broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean 73 seconds into flight on Jan. 28, 1986. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A crowd gathers in front of the Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida to honor space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L crew members who gave their lives for while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the loss of Challenger, which broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean 73 seconds into flight on Jan. 28, 1986. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A crowd gathers in front of the Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida to honor space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L crew members who gave their lives for while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the loss of Challenger, which broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean 73 seconds into flight on Jan. 28, 1986. NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A crowd gathers in front of the Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida to honor space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L crew members who gave their lives for while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the loss of Challenger, which broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean 73 seconds into flight on Jan. 28, 1986. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A crowd gathers in front of the Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida to honor space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L crew members who gave their lives for while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the loss of Challenger, which broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean 73 seconds into flight on Jan. 28, 1986. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida will be the site of a memorial ceremony to honor space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L crew members who gave their lives for while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the loss of Challenger, which broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean 73 seconds into flight on Jan. 28, 1986. NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Dr. June Scobee Rodgers, the founding chair of the Challenger Center for Space Science Education and widow of space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L Commander Dick Scobee, speaks to a crowd gathered in front of the Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida to honor the Challenger crew members who gave their lives for while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the loss of Challenger, which broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean 73 seconds into flight on Jan. 28, 1986. NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Dr. June Scobee Rodgers, the founding chair of the Challenger Center for Space Science Education and widow of space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L Commander Dick Scobee, speaks to a crowd gathered in front of the Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida to honor the Challenger crew members who gave their lives for while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the loss of Challenger, which broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean 73 seconds into flight on Jan. 28, 1986. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Dr. June Scobee Rodgers, the founding chair of the Challenger Center for Space Science Education and widow of space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L Commander Dick Scobee, left, and NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations William Gerstenmaier pay their respects to the space shuttle Challenger crew members who gave their lives for while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery at the foot of the Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the loss of Challenger, which broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean 73 seconds into flight on Jan. 28, 1986. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Dr. June Scobee Rodgers, the founding chair of the Challenger Center for Space Science Education and widow of space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L Commander Dick Scobee, and NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations William Gerstenmaier pay their respects to the space shuttle Challenger crew members who gave their lives for while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery at the foot of the Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the loss of Challenger, which broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean 73 seconds into flight on Jan. 28, 1986. NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Dr. June Scobee Rodgers, the founding chair of the Challenger Center for Space Science Education, honors her late-husband, space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L Commander Dick Scobee, who gave his life while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. She and others gathered at the foot of the Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida to honor Scobee and his crewmates. 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the loss of Challenger, which broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean 73 seconds into flight on Jan. 28, 1986. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, Marc Doyle, Dupont's global marketing and product director, addresses students, teachers, parents and VIPs during the 2013 DuPont Challenge Science Essay Competition awards ceremony. The challenge, now in its 27th year, reaches out to students from grades seven through 12 from all 50 states and Canada. More than 200,000 students entered the competition. The DuPont Challenge aims to inspire students to excel and achieve in scientific writing and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics STEM. The challenge honors space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L crew members who gave their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. For more information on the challenge, go to http://thechallenge.dupont.com/sponsors/nasa.php.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, Kelvin Manning, the center's associate deputy director, addresses students, teachers, parents and VIPs during the 2013 DuPont Challenge Science Essay Competition awards ceremony. The challenge, now in its 27th year, reaches out to students from grades seven through 12 from all 50 states and Canada. More than 200,000 students entered the competition. The DuPont Challenge aims to inspire students to excel and achieve in scientific writing and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics STEM. The challenge honors space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L crew members who gave their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. For more information on the challenge, go to http://thechallenge.dupont.com/sponsors/nasa.php.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, Bob Cabana, the center's director, addresses students, teachers, parents and VIPs during the 2014 DuPont Challenge Science Essay Competition awards ceremony at the Operations and Support Building II. The challenge, now in its 28th year, reaches out to students from grades seven through 12 from all 50 states and Canada. More than 200,000 students entered the competition. The DuPont Challenge aims to inspire students to excel and achieve in scientific writing and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics STEM. The challenge honors space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L crew members who gave their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. For more information on the challenge, go to http:__thechallenge.dupont.com_sponsors_nasa.php. Photo credit: NASA_Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, Bob Cabana, the center's director, addresses students during the 2014 DuPont Challenge Science Essay Competition awards ceremony at the Operations and Support Building II. The challenge, now in its 28th year, reaches out to students from grades seven through 12 from all 50 states and Canada. More than 200,000 students entered the competition. The DuPont Challenge aims to inspire students to excel and achieve in scientific writing and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics STEM. The challenge honors space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L crew members who gave their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. For more information on the challenge, go to http://thechallenge.dupont.com/sponsors/nasa.php. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, Bob Cabana, the center's director, addresses parents, teachers and VIPs during the 2014 DuPont Challenge Science Essay Competition awards ceremony at the Operations and Support Building II. The challenge, now in its 28th year, reaches out to students from grades seven through 12 from all 50 states and Canada. More than 200,000 students entered the competition. The DuPont Challenge aims to inspire students to excel and achieve in scientific writing and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics STEM. The challenge honors space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L crew members who gave their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. For more information on the challenge, go to http://thechallenge.dupont.com/sponsors/nasa.php. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The winning students and their teachers of the 2014 DuPont Challenge Science Essay Competition show off their awards after a ceremony at the Operations and Support Building II at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Center Director Bob Cabana is at right. The challenge, now in its 28th year, reaches out to students from grades seven through 12 from all 50 states and Canada. More than 200,000 students entered the competition. The DuPont Challenge aims to inspire students to excel and achieve in scientific writing and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics STEM. The challenge honors space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L crew members who gave their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. For more information on the challenge, go to http://thechallenge.dupont.com/sponsors/nasa.php. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, William Badders, resident-elect of the National Science Teachers Association, addresses students, teachers, parents and VIPs during the 2013 DuPont Challenge Science Essay Competition awards ceremony. The challenge, now in its 27th year, reaches out to students from grades seven through 12 from all 50 states and Canada. More than 200,000 students entered the competition. The DuPont Challenge aims to inspire students to excel and achieve in scientific writing and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics STEM. The challenge honors space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L crew members who gave their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. For more information on the challenge, go to http://thechallenge.dupont.com/sponsors/nasa.php.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, Bob Cabana, the center's director, shares NASA's vision of developing the capabilities needed to send humans to an asteroid by 2025 and Mars in the 2030s with students, teachers, parents and VIPs during the 2014 DuPont Challenge Science Essay Competition awards ceremony at the Operations and Support Building II. The challenge, now in its 28th year, reaches out to students from grades seven through 12 from all 50 states and Canada. More than 200,000 students entered the competition. The DuPont Challenge aims to inspire students to excel and achieve in scientific writing and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics STEM. The challenge honors space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L crew members who gave their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. For more information on the challenge, go to http://thechallenge.dupont.com/sponsors/nasa.php. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The winning students and their teachers of the 2014 DuPont Challenge Science Essay Competition show off their awards after a ceremony at the Operations and Support Building II at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Center Director Bob Cabana is in the middle. The challenge, now in its 28th year, reaches out to students from grades seven through 12 from all 50 states and Canada. More than 200,000 students entered the competition. The DuPont Challenge aims to inspire students to excel and achieve in scientific writing and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics STEM. The challenge honors space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L crew members who gave their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. For more information on the challenge, go to http://thechallenge.dupont.com/sponsors/nasa.php. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, Bob Cabana, the center's director, addresses teachers and VIPs during the 2014 DuPont Challenge Science Essay Competition awards ceremony at the Operations and Support Building II. The challenge, now in its 28th year, reaches out to students from grades seven through 12 from all 50 states and Canada. More than 200,000 students entered the competition. The DuPont Challenge aims to inspire students to excel and achieve in scientific writing and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics STEM. The challenge honors space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L crew members who gave their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. For more information on the challenge, go to http://thechallenge.dupont.com/sponsors/nasa.php. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

A wreath is on display at the Space Mirror Memorial at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida during the annual Day of Remembrance ceremony on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, honoring fallen astronauts who lost their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery including the crews of Apollo 1, Challenger STS-51L, and Columbia STS-107.

Astronauts Memorial Foundation board member Karen Bassett Stevenson and daughter of Charles Bassett II, delivers remarks honoring fallen astronauts who lost their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery during NASA’s annual Day of Remembrance on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, at the Space Mirror Memorial at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Those remembered include the crews of Apollo 1, Challenger STS-51L, and Columbia STS-107.

Family members of fallen astronauts Kathie Scobee Fulgham, Lowell Grissom, Sheryl Chaffee, and Karen Bassett Stevenson place a wreath at the Space Mirror Memorial at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, during the agency’s Day of Remembrance. The annual tradition pays tribute to fallen astronauts and astronaut candidates who lost their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery, including the crews of Apollo 1, Challenger STS-51L, and Columbia STS-107.

STS-26 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, rises into a cloudy sky and heads for Earth orbit atop the external tank (ET) as exhaust plumes billow from the two solid rocket boosters (SRBs) during liftoff from Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Launch Complex (LC) pad 39B. STS-26 marks OV-103's first flight since September 1985 and NASA's first manned mission since 51L Challenger accident, 01-28-86.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- This is a version of space shuttle Challenger's orbiter tribute, or OV-099, which hangs in Firing Room 4 of the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Challenger's accomplishments include the first night launch and first African-American in space, Guion Bluford, on STS-8, the first in-flight capture, repair and redeployment of an orbiting satellite during STS-41C, the first American woman in space, Sally Ride, on STS-7, and the first American woman to walk in space, Kathryn Sullivan, during STS-41G. Challenger is credited with blazing a trail for NASA's other orbiters with the first night landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California on STS-8 and the first landing at Kennedy on STS-41B. The spacewalker in the tribute represents Challenger’s role in the first spacewalk during STS-6 and the first untethered spacewalk on STS-41B. Crew-designed patches for each of Challenger’s missions lead from Earth toward a remembrance of the STS-51L crew, which was lost 73 seconds after liftoff on Jan. 28, 1986. Five orbiter tributes are on display in the firing room, representing Atlantis, Challenger, Columbia, Endeavour and Discovery. Graphic design credit: NASA/Lynda Brammer. NASA publication number: SP-2010-08-162-KSC

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- This is a printable version of space shuttle Challenger's orbiter tribute, or OV-099, which hangs in Firing Room 4 of the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Challenger's accomplishments include the first night launch and first African-American in space, Guion Bluford, on STS-8, the first in-flight capture, repair and redeployment of an orbiting satellite during STS-41C, the first American woman in space, Sally Ride, on STS-7, and the first American woman to walk in space, Kathryn Sullivan, during STS-41G. Challenger is credited with blazing a trail for NASA's other orbiters with the first night landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California on STS-8 and the first landing at Kennedy on STS-41B. The spacewalker in the tribute represents Challenger’s role in the first spacewalk during STS-6 and the first untethered spacewalk on STS-41B. Crew-designed patches for each of Challenger’s missions lead from Earth toward a remembrance of the STS-51L crew, which was lost 73 seconds after liftoff on Jan. 28, 1986. Five orbiter tributes are on display in the firing room, representing Atlantis, Challenger, Columbia, Endeavour and Discovery. Graphic design credit: NASA/Lynda Brammer. NASA publication number: SP-2010-08-162-KSC

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- This orbiter tribute of space shuttle Challenger, or OV-099, hangs in Firing Room 4 of the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Challenger's accomplishments include the first night launch and first African-American in space, Guion Bluford, on STS-8, the first in-flight capture, repair and redeployment of an orbiting satellite during STS-41C, the first American woman in space, Sally Ride, on STS-7, and the first American woman to walk in space, Kathryn Sullivan, during STS-41G. Challenger is credited with blazing a trail for NASA's other orbiters with the first night landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California on STS-8 and the first landing at Kennedy on STS-41B. The spacewalker in the tribute represents Challenger’s role in the first spacewalk during STS-6 and the first untethered spacewalk on STS-41B. Crew-designed patches for each of Challenger’s missions lead from Earth toward a remembrance of the STS-51L crew, which was lost 73 seconds after liftoff on Jan. 28, 1986. Five orbiter tributes are on display in the firing room, representing Atlantis, Challenger, Columbia, Endeavour and Discovery. Graphic design credit: NASA/Lynda Brammer

S86-25186 (December 1985) --- Five members of the prime crew for NASA?s STS-51L mission and a backup crew member are briefed during a training session in the Johnson Space Center?s (JSC) Shuttle Mock-up and Integration Laboratory. From left to right are astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka, mission specialist; Ronald E. McNair, mission specialist; Gregory D. Jarvis, Hughes payload specialist; Judith A. Resnik, mission specialist; Sharon Christa McAuliffe, citizen observer/payload specialist representing the Teacher-in-Space Project; and Barbara R. Morgan, backup payload specialist. The photograph was taken by Keith Meyers of the New York Times. EDITOR?S NOTE: The STS-51L crew members lost their lives in the space shuttle Challenger accident moments after launch on Jan. 28, 1986 from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Photo credit: NASA

S86-25254 (January 1986) --- Payload specialists in training for STS-51L take a break in shuttle emergency egress training at the Johnson Space Center's (JSC) Shuttle Mock-up and Integration Laboratory. Left to right are Gregory Jarvis of Hughes, Sharon Christa McAuliffe and Barbara Morgan of the Teacher-in-Space Project. McAuliffe was selected as NASA's first citizen observer in the Space Shuttle Program and Morgan was named her backup. The photo was taken by Keith Meyers of the New York Times. EDITOR?S NOTE: The STS-51L crew members lost their lives in the space shuttle Challenger accident moments after launch on Jan. 28, 1986 from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Photo credit: NASA

S86-25199 (September 1985) --- Three members of the STS-51L prime crew and a backup crew member walk away from the flight line at nearby Ellington Field following flights in the T-38 jet trainers seen in the background. Sharon Christa McAuliffe (center right), payload specialist/citizen observer for the Teacher-in-Space Project, and Barbara R. Morgan (center left), her backup, are flanked by astronauts Francis R. (Dick) Scobee (right), mission commander, and Michael J. Smith, pilot. The photo was taken by Keith Meyers of the New York Times. EDITOR?S NOTE: The STS-51L crew members lost their lives in the space shuttle Challenger accident moments after launch on Jan. 28, 1986 from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Photo credit: NASA

S85-44253 (November 1985) --- Five astronauts and two payload specialists make up the crew, scheduled to fly aboard the space shuttle Challenger in January of 1986. Crew members are (left to right, front row) astronauts Michael J. Smith, Francis R. (Dick) Scobee and Ronald E. McNair; Ellison S. Onizuka, Sharon Christa McAuliffe, Gregory Jarvis and Judith A. Resnik. McAuliffe and Jarvis are payload specialists, representing the Teacher in Space Project and Hughes Company, respectively. Photo credit: NASA (NOTE: On Jan. 28, 1986, the seven Challenger crew members lost their lives following an explosion during the launch phase of the STS-51L mission.)

S86-25182 (for release January 1986) --- Sharon Christa McAuliffe, STS-51L citizen observer/payload specialist, prepares to remove her helmet after participating in emergency egress training in the shuttle mock-up and integration lab at the Johnson Space Center. McAuliffe will represent the Teacher-in-Space Project aboard the Challenger when it launches in late January. The photo was taken by Keith Meyers of the New York Times. Photo credit: NASA

S86-25188 (December 1985) --- Sharon Christa McAuliffe, a school teacher Concord New Hampshire, surveys a ground training replica of the quarters she?ll be using in space when the space shuttle Challenger taxis two women and five men into space in January of 1986. The STS-51L citizen observer/payload specialist is in training at the Johnson Space Center, representing the Teacher-in-Space Project. The photo was taken by Keith Meyers of the New York Times. Photo credit: NASA

S86-26436 (31 Jan. 1986) --- The United States flag, in front of the Johnson Space Center’s (JSC) project management building, flies at half-mast in memory of the seven space shuttle Challenger crew members who lost their lives on Jan. 28, 1986. Earlier today, memorial services about 100 yards from the flag drew thousands of JSC employees, friends and family of the STS-51L astronauts and payload specialists. Photo credit: NASA

S86-25251 (January 1986) --- Sharon Christa McAuliffe, payload specialist for STS-51L, takes a breather following a busy day?s training in the Johnson Space Center?s Shuttle Mock-up and Integration Laboratory. McAuliffe, a New Hampshire school teacher, was chosen from among ten finalists in the Teacher-in-Space Project to serve as citizen observer aboard the Challenger. This photo was taken by Keith Meyers of the New York Times. Photo credit: NASA

S85-40171 (5 Sept. 1985) --- Astronaut Judith A. Resnik, in her office, at the Johnson Space Center (JSC). Resnik is taking a break from training for her upcoming space mission. EDITOR’S NOTE: The STS-51L crew members lost their lives in the space shuttle Challenger accident moments after launch on Jan. 28, 1986 from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Photo credit: NASA

Flight controllers in JSC's Mission Control Center (MCC) Bldg 30 flight control room (FCR) listen to a presentation by STS-26 crewmembers on the fourth day of Discovery's, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103's, orbital mission. Instrumentation and Communications Officers (INCOs) Harold Black (left foreground) and John F. Muratore and other controllers view a television (TV) transmission of the crew on a screen in front of the FCR as each member relates some inner feelings while paying tribute to the 51L Challenger crew.

S85-46206 (December 1985) --- Sharon Christa McAuliffe, STS-51L payload specialist representing the Teacher-in-Space Project, uses a treadmill exercising device during a training session at the Johnson Space Center in preparation for January?s week-long mission aboard the space shuttle Challenger. This photo was taken by Bill Bower. Photo credit: NASA

S85-36539 (2 July 1985) --- Official portrait photograph of Astronaut Ronald E. McNair. Dr. McNair is in the blue Shuttle flight suit, standing in front of a table which holds a model of the Space Shuttle. An American flag is visible behind him.Astronaut Ronald E. McNair, mission specialist. Photo credit: NASA (NOTE: Astronaut McNair died in the STS-51L space shuttle Challenger accident, Jan. 28, 1986.)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Stephen Feldman, president of The Astronauts Memorial Foundation, left; Dr. June Scobee Rodgers, founding chair of the Challenger Center for Space Science Education and widow of space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L Commander Dick Scobee; Michael McCulley, former astronaut and chairman of The Astronauts Memorial Foundation; Bob Cabana, former astronaut and NASA Kennedy Space Center director; Rick Soria, 2009 Alan Shepard Technology in Education Award winner, and William Gerstenmaier, NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations gather in front of the Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida to honor the Challenger crew members who gave their lives for while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the loss of Challenger, which broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean 73 seconds into flight on Jan. 28, 1986. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Dr. June Scobee Rodgers, the founding chair of the Challenger Center for Space Science Education and widow of space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L Commander Dick Scobee, left, talks with former Shuttle Launch Director Bob Sieck, NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana and NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations William Gerstenmaier. They are gathered in front of the Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida to honor the Challenger crew members who gave their lives for while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the loss of Challenger, which broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean 73 seconds into flight on Jan. 28, 1986. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Stephen Feldman, president of the Astronauts Memorial Foundation, left; Dr. June Scobee Rodgers, founding chair of the Challenger Center for Space Science Education and widow of space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L Commander Dick Scobee; Michael McCulley, former astronaut and chairman of the Astronauts Memorial Foundation; Bob Cabana, former astronaut and NASA Kennedy Space Center director; Rick Soria, 2009 Alan Shepard Technology in Education Award winner, and William Gerstenmaier, NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations gather in front of the Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida to honor the Challenger crew members who gave their lives for while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the loss of Challenger, which broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean 73 seconds into flight on Jan. 28, 1986. NASA/Jack Pfaller

NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida paid tribute to the crews of Apollo 1 and space shuttles Challenger and Columbia, as well as other astronauts who lost their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery, during the agency's Day of Remembrance on Jan. 27, 2022. Lowell Grissom, brother of fall astronaut Virgil “Gus” Grissom, speaks during a ceremony at the Center for Space Education at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida paid tribute to the crews of Apollo 1 and space shuttles Challenger and Columbia, as well as other astronauts who lost their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery, during the agency's Day of Remembrance on Jan. 27, 2022. From left, Lowell Grissom, brother of Virgil “Gus” Grissom; Kathie Scobee Fulgham, daughter of Challenger Commander Francis R. Scobee; and Sheryl Chafee, daughter of Apollo 1 astronaut Roger Chafee, place a wreath in front of on-screen images of NASA astronauts who have perished in the line of duty. The ceremony was held in the Center for Space Education at Kennedy’s Visitor Complex in Florida.

A wreath is placed in front of the Space Mirror Memorial at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex during the NASA Day of Remembrance on Jan. 27, 2022. Kennedy Space Center in Florida paid tribute to the crews of Apollo 1 and space shuttles Challenger and Columbia, as well as other astronauts who lost their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery.

NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida paid tribute to the crews of Apollo 1 and space shuttles Challenger and Columbia, as well as other astronauts who lost their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery, during the agency's Day of Remembrance on Jan. 27, 2022. From left, Lowell Grissom, brother of Virgil “Gus” Grissom; Sheryl Chafee, daughter of Apollo 1 astronaut Roger Chafee; and Kathie Scobee Fulgham, daughter of Challenger Commander Francis R. Scobee, place carnations on the fence in front of the Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

A wreath is placed in front of the Space Mirror Memorial at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex during the NASA Day of Remembrance on Jan. 27, 2022. Kennedy Space Center in Florida paid tribute to the crews of Apollo 1 and space shuttles Challenger and Columbia, as well as other astronauts who lost their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery.

NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida paid tribute to the crews of Apollo 1 and space shuttles Challenger and Columbia, as well as other astronauts who lost their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery, during the agency's Day of Remembrance on Jan. 27, 2022. Kennedy Deputy Director Kelvin Manning speaks during a ceremony at the Center for Space Education at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Director Jody Singer looks solemnly toward a display honoring the crews of space shuttle Columbia STS-107, space shuttle Challenger STS-51L and Apollo 1 during the center's Day of Remembrance ceremony Feb. 7. Singer, former astronaut Jan Davis, and Marshall Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate Director Rick Burt, spoke at the annual ceremony, which honors those who lost their lives in the quest of space exploration and those who dedicated their lives to space exploration. The ceremony concluded with Singer lighting a candle in memory of the honorees and a moment of silence led by Johnny Stephenson, director of the Office of Strategic Analysis & Communications.

STS-26 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, lifts off from mobile launcher platform at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Launch Complex (LC) pad 39B. Riding atop the orange external tank (ET), OV-103 heads for Earth orbit as the exhaust plumes from the two solid rocket boosters (SRBs) cover the mobile launcher platform and the area surrounding the launch pad. SRB firings are reflected in a nearby waterway. In the foreground are trees and several birds in flight. STS-26 marks OV-103's first flight since September 1985 and NASA's first manned mission since the 51L Challenger accident, 01-28-86.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The winning students and their teachers of the 2013 DuPont Challenge Science Essay Competition show off their awards after a ceremony at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. From left are sponsoring teacher Angela Weeks and Junior Division first runner-up Gaurav Garg of Beckendorff Junior High in Katy, Texas sponsoring teacher Elaine Gillum and Senior Division grand prize winner Jacob Yoshitake of Marshall Middle School in San Diego, Calif. Senior Division first runner-up Laura Herman and sponsoring teacher Jennifer Gordinier of Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and Senior Division grand prize awardee Hugo Yen and sponsoring teacher Nga Ngo of Troy High in Fullerton, Calif. The challenge, now in its 27th year, reaches out to students from grades seven through 12 from all 50 states and Canada. More than 200,000 students entered the competition. The DuPont Challenge aims to inspire students to excel and achieve in scientific writing and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics STEM. The challenge honors space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L crew members who gave their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. For more information on the challenge, go to http://thechallenge.dupont.com/sponsors/nasa.php.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The winning students of the 2013 DuPont Challenge Science Essay Competition show off their awards after a ceremony at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. From left are Junior Division first runner-up Gaurav Garg of Beckendorff Junior High in Katy, Texas Senior Division grand prize winner Jacob Yoshitake of Marshall Middle School in San Diego, Calif. Senior Division first runner-up Laura Herman of Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and Senior Division grand prize awardee Hugo Yen of Troy High in Fullerton, Calif. and Marc Doyle, Dupont's global marketing and product director. The challenge, now in its 27th year, reaches out to students from grades seven through 12 from all 50 states and Canada. More than 200,000 students entered the competition. The DuPont Challenge aims to inspire students to excel and achieve in scientific writing and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics STEM. The challenge honors space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L crew members who gave their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. For more information on the challenge, go to http://thechallenge.dupont.com/sponsors/nasa.php.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The winning students and their teachers of the 2013 DuPont Challenge Science Essay Competition show off their awards after a ceremony at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. From left are, Kelvin Manning, the center's associate deputy director sponsoring teacher Angela Weeks and Junior Division first runner-up Gaurav Garg of Beckendorff Junior High in Katy, Texas sponsoring teacher Elaine Gillum and Senior Division grand prize winner Jacob Yoshitake of Marshall Middle School in San Diego, Calif. Senior Division first runner-up Laura Herman and sponsoring teacher Jennifer Gordinier of Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and Senior Division grand prize awardee Hugo Yen and sponsoring teacher Nga Ngo of Troy High in Fullerton, Calif. The challenge, now in its 27th year, reaches out to students from grades seven through 12 from all 50 states and Canada. More than 200,000 students entered the competition. The DuPont Challenge aims to inspire students to excel and achieve in scientific writing and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics STEM. The challenge honors space shuttle Challenger's STS-51L crew members who gave their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. For more information on the challenge, go to http://thechallenge.dupont.com/sponsors/nasa.php.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Flowers are placed at the Astronauts Memorial Foundation's Space Mirror Memorial at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on the 28th anniversary of the space shuttle Challenger accident. The day of the accident in 1986 dawned bitterly cold. Temperatures hovered just a few degrees above freezing as Challenger and its seven astronauts lifted off on the STS-51L mission. The flight ended just 73 seconds later when an O-ring in the right solid rocket booster failed, causing a fireball that led to the loss of the vehicle and crew: Commander Francis Scobee, Pilot Michael Smith, Mission Specialists Judith Resnik, Ellison Onizuka and Ronald McNair, and Payload Specialists Gregory Jarvis and Sharon Christa McAuliffe, a teacher. To learn more about the Space Shuttle Program, visit http:__www.nasa.gov_mission_pages_shuttle_main_index.html. To read the astronauts' NASA biographies, visit http:__www.jsc.nasa.gov_Bios_astrobio_former.html. For information about the AMF, visit http:__www.astronautsmemorial.org_home.html. Photo credit: NASA_Dimitri Gerondidakis

S85-37165 (8-12 July 1985) -- Sharon C. (Christa) McAuliffe of Concord High, Concord, New Hampshire, runs in place on treadmill to test physiological responses at Johnson Space Center. Christa McAuliffe was eventually chosen as the first Teacher in Space and was a member of the seven-member Challenger shuttle crew which died tragically in the explosion of the spacecraft during the launch of STS-51L from the Kennedy Space Center about 11:40 a.m., EST, on Jan. 28, 1986. The explosion occurred 73 seconds into the flight as a result of a leak in one of two Solid Rocket Boosters that ignited the main liquid fuel tank. The crew members of the Challenger represented a cross-section of the American population in terms of race, gender, geography, background, and religion. The explosion became one of the most significant events of the 1980s, as billions around the world saw the accident on television and empathized with any one of the several crew members killed. Photo credit: NASA

S85-37164 (8-12 July 1985) --- Sharon C. (Christa) McAuliffe of Concord High, Concord, New Hampshire, talks to the media at Johnson Space Center. Christa McAuliffe was eventually chosen as the first Teacher in Space and was a member of the seven-member Challenger shuttle crew which died tragically in the explosion of the spacecraft during the launch of STS-51L from the Kennedy Space Center about 11:40 a.m., EST, on Jan. 28, 1986. The explosion occurred 73 seconds into the flight as a result of a leak in one of two Solid Rocket Boosters that ignited the main liquid fuel tank. The crew members of the Challenger represented a cross-section of the American population in terms of race, gender, geography, background, and religion. The explosion became one of the most significant events of the 1980s, as billions around the world saw the accident on television and empathized with any one of the several crew members killed. Photo credit: NASA

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Flowers are placed at the Astronauts Memorial Foundation's Space Mirror Memorial at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on the 28th anniversary of the space shuttle Challenger accident. The day of the accident in 1986 dawned bitterly cold. Temperatures hovered just a few degrees above freezing as Challenger and its seven astronauts lifted off on the STS-51L mission. The flight ended just 73 seconds later when an O-ring in the right solid rocket booster failed, causing a fireball that led to the loss of the vehicle and crew: Commander Francis Scobee, Pilot Michael Smith, Mission Specialists Judith Resnik, Ellison Onizuka and Ronald McNair, and Payload Specialists Gregory Jarvis and Sharon Christa McAuliffe, a teacher. To learn more about the Space Shuttle Program, visit http:__www.nasa.gov_mission_pages_shuttle_main_index.html. To read the astronauts' NASA biographies, visit http:__www.jsc.nasa.gov_Bios_astrobio_former.html. For information about the AMF, visit http:__www.astronautsmemorial.org_home.html. Photo credit: NASA_Dimitri Gerondidakis

S85-37677 (8-12 July 1985) --- Sharon C. (Christa) McAuliffe of Concord High, Concord, New Hampshire, talks to nurse during physiological testing on first day at Johnson Space Center (JSC). Christa McAuliffe was eventually chosen as the first Teacher in Space and was a member of the seven-member Challenger shuttle crew which died tragically in the explosion of the spacecraft during the launch of STS-51L from the Kennedy Space Center about 11:40 a.m., EST, on Jan. 28, 1986. The explosion occurred 73 seconds into the flight as a result of a leak in one of two Solid Rocket Boosters that ignited the main liquid fuel tank. The crew members of the Challenger represented a cross-section of the American population in terms of race, gender, geography, background, and religion. The explosion became one of the most significant events of the 1980s, as billions around the world saw the accident on television and empathized with any one of the several crew members killed. Photo credit: NASA

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Media representatives, NASA Kennedy Space Center employees and guests of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex participate in a ceremony at the Astronauts Memorial Foundation's Space Mirror Memorial at the visitor complex on the 28th anniversary of the space shuttle Challenger accident. The day of the accident in 1986 dawned bitterly cold. Temperatures hovered just a few degrees above freezing as Challenger and its seven astronauts lifted off on the STS-51L mission. The flight ended just 73 seconds later when an O-ring in the right solid rocket booster failed, causing a fireball that led to the loss of the vehicle and crew: Commander Francis Scobee, Pilot Michael Smith, Mission Specialists Judith Resnik, Ellison Onizuka and Ronald McNair, and Payload Specialists Gregory Jarvis and Sharon Christa McAuliffe, a teacher. To learn more about the Space Shuttle Program, visit http:__www.nasa.gov_mission_pages_shuttle_main_index.html. To read the astronauts' NASA biographies, visit http:__www.jsc.nasa.gov_Bios_astrobio_former.html. For information about the AMF, visit http:__www.astronautsmemorial.org_home.html. Photo credit: NASA_Dimitri Gerondidakis

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The emblem on the jacket of a guest at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex commemorates NASA's 'fallen heroes' whose names are etched on the Astronauts Memorial Foundation's Space Mirror Memorial, following a ceremony on the 28th anniversary of the space shuttle Challenger accident. The day of the accident in 1986 dawned bitterly cold. Temperatures hovered just a few degrees above freezing as Challenger and its seven astronauts lifted off on the STS-51L mission. The flight ended just 73 seconds later when an O-ring in the right solid rocket booster failed, causing a fireball that led to the loss of the vehicle and crew: Commander Francis Scobee, Pilot Michael Smith, Mission Specialists Judith Resnik, Ellison Onizuka and Ronald McNair, and Payload Specialists Gregory Jarvis and Sharon Christa McAuliffe, a teacher. To learn more about the Space Shuttle Program, visit http:__www.nasa.gov_mission_pages_shuttle_main_index.html. To read the astronauts' NASA biographies, visit http:__www.jsc.nasa.gov_Bios_astrobio_former.html. For information about the AMF, visit http:__www.astronautsmemorial.org_home.html. Photo credit: NASA_Dimitri Gerondidakis

Boatswain’s Mate First Class Ronald Stewart rings the bell during the NASA Day of Remembrance ceremony at the Space Mirror Memorial in the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Jan. 30, 2020. The crews of Apollo 1 and space shuttles Challenger and Columbia, as well as other fallen astronauts who lost their lives in the name of space exploration and discovery, were honored at the annual event.

The audience looks on during the NASA Day of Remembrance ceremony at the Space Mirror Memorial in the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Jan. 30, 2020. The crews of Apollo 1 and space shuttles Challenger and Columbia, as well as other fallen astronauts who lost their lives in the name of space exploration and discovery, were honored at the annual event.

A wreath is displayed during the NASA Day of Remembrance ceremony at the Space Mirror Memorial in the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Jan. 30, 2020. The crews of Apollo 1 and space shuttles Challenger and Columbia, as well as other fallen astronauts who lost their lives in the name of space exploration and discovery, were honored at the annual event.

Members of the Palm Bay Magnet High School Marine Corps JROTC participate in the presentation of colors during the NASA Day of Remembrance ceremony at the Space Mirror Memorial in the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Jan. 30, 2020. The crews of Apollo 1 and space shuttles Challenger and Columbia, as well as other fallen astronauts who lost their lives in the name of space exploration and discovery, were honored at the annual event.

Astronauts Memorial Foundation president and CEO Thad Altman addresses the audience during the NASA Day of Remembrance ceremony at the Space Mirror Memorial in the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Jan. 30, 2020. Behind Altman, from left to right, are Kelvin Manning, Kennedy associate director, technical; and Burt Summerfield, associate director, management. The crews of Apollo 1 and space shuttles Challenger and Columbia, as well as other fallen astronauts who lost their lives in the name of space exploration and discovery, were honored at the annual event.

A wreath is displayed during the NASA Day of Remembrance ceremony at the Space Mirror Memorial in the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Jan. 30, 2020. The crews of Apollo 1 and space shuttles Challenger and Columbia, as well as other fallen astronauts who lost their lives in the name of space exploration and discovery, were honored at the annual event.

A flower and wreath are displayed during the NASA Day of Remembrance ceremony at the Space Mirror Memorial in the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Jan. 30, 2020. The crews of Apollo 1 and space shuttles Challenger and Columbia, as well as other fallen astronauts who lost their lives in the name of space exploration and discovery, were honored at the annual event.