Description
Book SynopsisThis newly revised book tells the story of Christa McAuliffe and how she graduated from her role as a much-loved high school teacher to occupying a seat on the
Challenger, the veteran orbiter’s tenth and last flight into space.
Trade Review"This biography honors the life of Christa McAuliffe by telling her story. It is an insightful reflection on a time in the space program that brought great joy (that everyday people would be flying to space onboard the Shuttle) and ultimately great sadness."—Scott Sacknoff,
Quest: The History of Spaceflight Quarterly“While Colin Burgess revisits the terrible events of January 1986 in his masterful book, he also offers a deserving tribute to the
Challenger crew and in particular a dedicated, loving teacher named Christa McAuliffe.”—Col. Alfred M. Worden, USAF (Ret.), command module pilot,
Apollo 15“This book offers an insightful reflection on not only that tragic day in 1986 but the inspiring way in which some truly remarkable people then embarked on a mission to help realize and honor Christa’s dream of touching the future through education.”—Col. Pamela Melroy, USAF (Ret.), NASA space shuttle pilot and commander
“Christa McAuliffe was a wonderful human being, a beloved teacher, our forever first NASA Teacher in Space, and the perfect representative of our teaching profession. Thank you for honoring Christa by telling her story and sharing her inspiration with the world for generations to come.”—Barbara Morgan, McAuliffe’s Teacher in Space backup, NASA mission specialist, STS-118
“This book touchingly portrays the human story of a very ordinary individual embroiled in a national tragedy.”—Francis French, educator and author of
Apollo Pilot: The Memoir of Astronaut Donn EiseleTable of ContentsForeword by Grace George Corrigan
Acknowledgments
1. Launch Day
2. No Ordinary Person
3. Touching the Future
4. The Ride of a Lifetime
5. Civilians in Space
6. Learning the Ropes
7. Delays and More Delays
8. “The Craft Has Exploded!”
9. The Dream Continues
10. Educating from Orbit
Epilogue: Christa McAuliffe’s Messenger
Appendix A: Shuttle Orbiter
Challenger Facts and Figures
Appendix B: Numbering the Shuttle Flights
Appendix C: Honors for the Seven
Challenger Astronauts
Index
