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Teacher/Astronaut was backup to Christa McAuliffe by Mark Zurlo Related Links Space Shuttle TimelineSpace Shuttle (Encyclopedia) Space AccidentsSpace MoviesSpace ExplorationIn 1985, New Hampshire school teacher Christa McAuliffe was selected to become the first representative of NASA’s Teacher in Space Program. McAuliffe, who was chosen over 11,000 other applicants, was set to teach lessons via a video link from space and act as a payload specialist on the 1986 mission of the shuttle Challenger. Tragically, the shuttle disintegrated shortly after takeoff, and all crew members were killed. Shocked and saddened by the disaster, McAfuliffe’s backup for that flight, Barbra Morgan, refused to let the Teacher in Space Program–or her own dreams of one day flying into space—die. Morgan Makes Long-Term Commitment to NASA Morgan left her teaching job in Idaho in 1998 to become NASA’s first Educator Astronaut. She makes public speaking appearances and works with other educators to develop space-related curriculum. She has also trained as a spacecraft communicator, which allowed her to be directly involved in a number of shuttle missions. She was assigned to spaceflight STS-118 in 2002, but disaster struck once again in 2003 when the space shuttle Columbia disintegrated upon reentry, and all space flights were halted for the next two years. Hard Work Pays Off Morgan finally received her chance to become the first teacher in space on August 8, 2007, aboard the shuttle Endeavor’s 119th flight. The mission took Morgan and her fellow crew members to the International Space Station, where an additional truss was added and supplies delivered. Morgan served as educator, loadmaster, shuttle and station robotic arm operator, and flight deck crewmember for entry and landing. While it may have taken over 20 years, NASA finally achieved its goal of sending a teacher to space. The feat is likely to inspire adults and children from all over the world, showing that in the face of adversity, persistence pays off. More on SpaceSpace ExplorationTo the Moon and Mars
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Teacher/Astronaut was backup to Christa McAuliffe
In 1985, New Hampshire school teacher Christa McAuliffe was selected to become the first representative of NASA’s Teacher in Space Program. McAuliffe, who was chosen over 11,000 other applicants, was set to teach lessons via a video link from space and act as a payload specialist on the 1986 mission of the shuttle Challenger. Tragically, the shuttle disintegrated shortly after takeoff, and all crew members were killed. Shocked and saddened by the disaster, McAfuliffe’s backup for that flight, Barbra Morgan, refused to let the Teacher in Space Program–or her own dreams of one day flying into space—die.
Related Links
- Space Shuttle TimelineSpace Shuttle (Encyclopedia) Space AccidentsSpace MoviesSpace Exploration
Morgan Makes Long-Term Commitment to NASA
Morgan left her teaching job in Idaho in 1998 to become NASA’s first Educator Astronaut. She makes public speaking appearances and works with other educators to develop space-related curriculum. She has also trained as a spacecraft communicator, which allowed her to be directly involved in a number of shuttle missions. She was assigned to spaceflight STS-118 in 2002, but disaster struck once again in 2003 when the space shuttle Columbia disintegrated upon reentry, and all space flights were halted for the next two years.
Hard Work Pays Off
Morgan finally received her chance to become the first teacher in space on August 8, 2007, aboard the shuttle Endeavor’s 119th flight. The mission took Morgan and her fellow crew members to the International Space Station, where an additional truss was added and supplies delivered. Morgan served as educator, loadmaster, shuttle and station robotic arm operator, and flight deck crewmember for entry and landing. While it may have taken over 20 years, NASA finally achieved its goal of sending a teacher to space. The feat is likely to inspire adults and children from all over the world, showing that in the face of adversity, persistence pays off.
- More on Space
.com/science/astronomy/teacher-in-space.html
Sources +
Our Common Sources
Our Common Sources
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- MESSENGER to Enter Mercury’s Orbit to Find Clues to the Mysteries of the Planet
TrendingHere are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.
Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?
The Twelve Dancing Princesses
Current Events This Week: January 2023
African Americans by the Numbers
Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents
The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales
TrendingHere are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.
Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?
The Twelve Dancing Princesses
Current Events This Week: January 2023
African Americans by the Numbers
Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents
The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales
- Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?
- The Twelve Dancing Princesses
- Current Events This Week: January 2023
- African Americans by the Numbers
- Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents
- The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales
