Posts tagged: space shuttle

Two astronauts in flight suits, looking a little sweaty, smile and chat with blue skies behind them

John Young is the First Big Death of 2018

John Young, the “astronaut’s astronaut” who flew on six different NASA missions over 18 years, has died at age 87. Complications from pneumonia was the cause of death. With apologies to …..

Wow: Sally Ride is Dead

The first American woman in space was only 61 years old.

The Challenger Commission and the 25th Anniversary

Today is the 25th anniversary of the space shuttle Challenger exploding after takeoff and killing all seven astronauts on board.
The most famous crew member at the time was probably Christa McAuliffe. She was a high school teacher from New Hampshire, the first of what was called the Teacher in Space Program from NASA.
Also on board: Commander Francis R. Scobee, Pilot Michael J. Smith, Mission Specialists Judith A. Resnik, Ellison S. Onizuka and Ronald E. McNair, and Payload Specialist Gregory B. Jarvis.