Sharing Memories of Columbia and Challenger
A Memorial to Our Fallen Shuttle Family Members
“Today, NASA and our nation take a step toward the future by honoring our past. The story of humans in space is more than 50 years old, and a major part of that exploration was our incredible flagship Space Shuttle Program. It’s now time to tell the full scope of the shuttle’s achievements; of the men and women who made the program great; and the sacrifices of those who lost their lives to push the boundaries of human achievement. NASA and the families of the STS-51L (Challenger) and STS-107 (Columbia) astronauts want the stories of these crews’ accomplishments and sacrifices to be told in a meaningful and personal way in the context of the entire program’s legacy. We have done that, and today I have the privilege of visiting the new Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex memorial “Forever Remembered” with the families of our Challenger and Columbia crews.”
NASA honors fallen astronauts, lost shuttles, CBS
“In the first memorial of its kind, NASA and the families of the 14 men and women who lost their lives aboard the shuttle Challenger in 1986 and Columbia in 2003 have joined together to remember the astronauts with pictures, personal mementos and, in an emotional first, iconic wreckage from both orbiters. The “Forever Remembered” memorial at the Kennedy Space Center’s commercially operated Visitor Complex opened to the public Saturday after private viewings Thursday and Friday by family members.”
I remember both these tragedies and was deeply affected by them. Nevertheless I think the memorial should include those lost on spacecraft of all nations. We may come from different nations on Earth, but we are companions in our travels, or, as the Russians would say, sputniki.
As best I understand my space history the Apollo1 families did not want pieces of the capsule put on display – ever.
Apollo-1 remains are in Virginia, under NASA control. Not only does this new display tell the crews stories- it tells of the engineering lessons learned- NASA’s reasoning. Apollo-1’s crew should be a part of this.
Then you need to contact the Apollo 1 crew families. Like I said – it is my understanding that they did not want it exhibited – and one thing NASA is good at is listening to the families on matters such as this.
I was just suggesting that the display include references (not necessarily hardware) to the loss of Soyuz 1,Soyuz 11,Apollo 1 and SpaceShip 2, not just the Shuttle. From a visually symbolic point of view I feel the most important recovered piece of a lost spacecraft is the flag from the tail of the Columbia.
I wonder if remains of the Apollo 1 spacecraft are intended for display? They should be.
Unlikely. The families were against that ever happening.
I am saddened that Nasa has forgotten that we lost three brave men on Apollo-1. Astronauts Grissom, White and Chaffee died on the launch pad but their loss allowed us to safely get Apollo-11 to the Moon. Why aren’t they remembered. To me they ALL should be remembered.
You have seen the various memorials around the U.S. to them, yes? The ships and moon craters named after them? NASA has not forgotten them.