1948day.year
Christa McAuliffe
(1948 - 1986)
American educator and astronaut
American educator and astronaut
Christa McAuliffe was an American teacher selected as the first private citizen and teacher to travel to space on the Challenger mission, which tragically ended in disaster.
Christa McAuliffe was a high school social studies teacher from Concord, New Hampshire, chosen from over 11,000 applicants for NASA's Teacher in Space Project. She trained for six months at the Johnson Space Center and was set to conduct educational lessons from orbit. On January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after launch, killing McAuliffe and the six other crew members. Her selection inspired students and educators around the world, and her legacy lives on through scholarships, schools, and programs named in her honor. McAuliffe's vision of bringing space exploration into the classroom continues to influence science education. She is remembered as a pioneer who sought to make space accessible and engaging for future generations.
Christa McAuliffe