Somewhat philosophical rememberances. 35 years ago today.

[draconis]

STS-51L, with seven aboard. Eight brave souls who "slipped the surly bonds of Earth to touch the face of God."

Dick Scobee, Commander
Michael Smith, Pilot
Judith Resnik, Mission Specialist
Ronald McNair, Mission Specialist
Ellison Onizuka, Mission Specialist
Gregory Jarvis, Payload Specialist
Christa McAuliffe, Payload Specialist
And of course, Challenger herself

And if you don't think the vessels have souls of their own?

Fight me.

From the designers whose "only" input is on pieces of paper or computer screens, to the techs that assemble and maintain them, to the crews that ride within their hulls, to the ground crews and even the spectators watching each launch with their hearts in their throats ... at each level, people pour a bit of their own souls into these craft and others like them, those that came before and those that will come after. At some point, these coalesce and become a spirit of their own.

All that lives must also die, and this is true in this case as well. Sometimes, as in the case of Challenger and her seven companions, they go out in a gut-wrenching yet truly spectacular blaze of glory.

https://www.wmur.com/article/space-shuttle-challenger-tragedy-anniversary-2021/35342739

Comments

[senmut]

I was in class at Van Winkle Elementary in Jackson.

We wound up being dismissed early, as soon as they could negotiate the bus routes. Every class had been tuned in.

[draconis]

You're making me feel old now -- I was a sophomore in college!

[em_kellesvig]

Beautifully said.

[draconis]

Thank you