From The Archives: The Challenger Explosion

By then, watching Shuttle launches live was old hat for most adults.

We had launched dozens of them by then.

But the Challenger launch was different for kids.

This one had a school teacher on board as NASA began including regular citizens in the missions (they were considered that safe by then.)

So schools all over the country brought TVs into classrooms to watch Christa McAuliffe’s big moment.

And it turned into a horror show.

On that day, WDEF TV crews were watching with some students at Kirkman High.

Vivian Woods was a finalist for the Teacher in Space program, competing against and meeting Crista McAuliffe.

She was watching the launch with her students when it exploded.

Later, she prepared this written tribute to McAuliffe.

Here is that speech.