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22 years later

Contributed by: Kim Natale on 8/11/2007

22 years is a long time to wait for anything. But 22 years is how long teacher Barbara Morgan had to wait to fly on the space shuttle. And 22 years is how long I had waited as part of a group of 112 teachers selected as finalists for Teacher in Space to see one of our number successfully launched.

On Wednesday night August 8 Barbara Morgan was launched aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour to the cheers of about 60 of the original Teachers in Space. The electricity generated by the group was incredible. At four minutes before liftoff as we sang the National Anthem I saw tears in the eyes of most of the teachers. At the liftoff we stood in awe and prayer as we viewed the power of the launch. About seventy seconds into the flight- the point of disaster for Challenger- there was total silence as everyone remembered what could happen. When that moment passed there was a huge cheer. Our friend was beyond that critical point.

After two minutes the booster rockets came off of the shuttle. The cheering and applause did not stop for the next 6 minutes. At that point it was announced that Endeavour had achieved orbit after a perfect launch. As NASA moved us away from the launch area I could only reflect on the last time so many of the Teachers in Space had viewed a launch and the difference between that time and this one.

President Reagan made a decision in 1984 that civilians should fly on the space shuttle. This would demonstrate how safe space flight was. It would show that ordinary people with regular jobs and little training could be placed into space. Because almost everyone can relate to a teacher, it was decided to place a teacher into space.

Over 50,000 teachers nationwide requested application packets when they became available from NASA in the fall of 1984. Over 20,000 submitted completed applications in the nationwide search for the first teacher to fly into space. Somewhat overwhelmed, NASA decided to have each state and territory select two finalists. NASA would select from this list of 112 finalists.

In 1985 I was selected as one of Colorado's two finalists. After an extensive selection process Christa McAuliffe (New Hampshire) was selected as the teacher to fly into space and Barbara Morgan (Idaho) was selected as her backup. After the Challenger tragedy Barbara worked for NASA from March 1986 to July 1986 as a speaker. As the backup teacher it was Barbara who most of the Teachers in Space came to know well. Barbara was with us when we toured the space center before Christa's launch. Barbara was with the teachers at the launch when Challenger failed.

In the fall of 1986 Barbara returned to Idaho to continue her teaching career, where she taught second and third grades at McCall-Donnelly Elementary school. When I first met Barbara she had no children. Now she has two teenage sons. Two days before the launch the Morgan family hosted a picnic so we could meet the entire family.

A lot happens in 22 years. Children are born and raised. Teachers complete careers and retire. Friends come and go. And a dream of a teacher flying into space is born, dashed, and finally...fulfilled.

The dream is alive.






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Showing 1 of 1 comments
Submitted By: mary catalfamo
posted on 2/11/2008 @ 2:00:43 PM
Rated Story
Mr. Natale, Your words continue to inspire a new generation of kids! I was one of your students at Pomona High School (class of '79) and benefited from your enthusiasm, humor and intelligence. You may not have made it to space, but I thank you for the being the 'Booster Rockets' for so many of your students. God Bless you!
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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Kim Natale

Arvada , CO

Kim Natale has posted 1 story and 0 comments since joining on 8/11/2007. Kim Natale 's average story rating is 5.
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