S. Christa McAuliffe
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Astronaut (1948 - 1986)

Americans still ask, "Where were you when the Challenger exploded?". The loss of the space shuttle 73 seconds after liftoff on January 28, 1986 stands as one of the most tragic days in the nation's history. Aboard the ship was a Social Studies teacher from Concord High School in Concord, NH. As part of a new NASA initiative, Sharon Christa McAuliffe was became "teacher in space", a person who could describe her experience to the rest of us. Born in nearby Framingham, MA, McAuliffe attended the state university there, majored in history and married her high school sweetheart. Selected for the novel program from 11,500 applicants, McAuliffe trained with the six astronauts who also perished in the accident witnessed by millions of television viewers. Today her name has been adopted by schools across the nation as a symbol of heroism and the relentless quest for knowledge.

New Hampshire's Teacher in Space
Still Inspires Students Daily

 

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CHRISTA McAULIFFE LINKS

BIOGRAPHY

Christa McAuliffe Bio
From the Concord, NH Planetarium web site

Official Biography
NASA bio of all crew members on 1986 Challenger flight

Short Bio at Framingham Online

Official NASA account of Challenger Flight 51-L (25)

Connection to Framingham, MA

Memories of Christa
National Education Assoc. Bulletinboard where you can post or read
HISTORIC SITES

Christa McAuliffe Planetarium
Concord, NH

Grave Site in Concord, NH

NAMESSAKES

McAuliffe/Challenger Center, Framingham State College

Christa McAuliffe Space Education Camp in Utah

McAuliffe Elementary School, Bakersfield. CA

Christa McAuliffe Academy, Yakima, WA

Christa McAuliffe Parents, Teachers & Students Association

S. Christa McAuliffe Elementary School, Germantown, MD

Christa McAuliffe Elementary School, Saratoga, CA

Christa McAuliffe Elementary School, Paul Bay, FL

Christa McAuliffe Elementary School, Sammamish, WA

Christa McAuliffe Elementary School, Tinley Park, IL

Christa McAuliffe Middle School, Palm Beach, FL

Christa McAuliffe Intermediate School 187, Brooklyn, NY

RELATED SPACE SITES

NH Astronomical Society

Hubble Space Telescope

Kennedy Space Center

Space.com

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NASA photo
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