Kennedy Space Center honors fallen astronauts as part of NASA Day of Remembrance
NASA and employees and guests gather at the Space Mirror Memorial at Kennedy Space Center's Visitor's Complex to pay tribute to fallen astronauts. Photo Credit: Sean Costello/Spaceflight Insider
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Around 200 people gathered at the Astronaut Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor’s Complex at 10:30 a.m. (1330 GMT) on Jan. 28, 2015 to pay tribute to the crews of Apollo 1 and space shuttles Challenger and Columbia, as well as other NASA astronauts and ground support crew who lost their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery.
None of the family of the fallen astronauts were in attendance on the clear, sunny day which greeted the event. Before the ceremony, individuals approached the fence around the memorial and inserted carnations in the fence railing. Among those leaving flowers were astronaut Wendy Lawrence, a veteran of four shuttle missions, including STS-114, the return to flight after the Columbia disaster. Also in attendance was Florida Senator Thad Altman.
Former NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence pauses in front of the memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Photo Credit: Sean Costello / SpaceFlight Insider
Long-time Launch Director (LD) Bob Sieck was also in attendance. He talked about his 1963-1999 tenure, and that incidents like this – were a sad part of the business. He noted that Challenger’s crew were aware of the risks.
He recalled, “It was their mission to accept this risk. On the other hand, they would be the first to say, ‘We should move on’. Don’t dwell. Understand what happened. Reflect. Honor. Then move on.”
Over 50 students from Ilan Roman High School in Beersheba, Israel were in attendance. This is the twelfth year that the school, named after Columbia STS-107 astronaut Ilan Roman, has sent a contingent for the ceremony.
Many other present and former NASA employees were in attendance. Unlike the previous night’s memorial for Apollo 1, the attendees who worked on the 1986 and 2003 launches continue to attend these events.
The colors were presented by a color guard from the Junior ROTC program from Merritt Island High School.
Susie Cunningham sang the national anthem. A large wreath with the words “Fallen Heroes” was placed at the memorial by Kennedy Deputy Director Janet Petro, Kennedy’s Associate Director Kelvin Manning, and President and Chief Executive Officer of The Astronauts Memorial Foundation, Senator Altman.
JROTC program at Merritt Island High School presented the colors for today’s memorial. Photo Credit: Mike Howard/Spaceflight Insider
Janet Petro thanked the crowd for attending today’s Day of Reflection. She noted that a similar wreath was being presented at Arlington National Cemetery today by NASA Administrator Charles Bolden.
She seemed to be addressing the NASA employees in attendance when she said, “These fallen heroes have made the ultimate sacrifice. There are hard lessons that we’ve learned. Reflect today if there was something we could have done differently. Think about how to prevent similar tragedies going forward.”
The colors were retired and the ceremony concluded at 10:36 a.m. EST (1336 GMT).
Many people in the audience have a personal story to tell about their connection to one of the missions. One notable story was that of Canadian Mark Gotch. Gotch recalls driving from Clearwater to West Palm Beach in 1986 when he took a detour on the 528 Beeline tollway to watch Challenger launch. He detailed how he got out of his car and snapped six photos using his film camera.
Months later, after returning to Canada and processing the film, he sent enlargements of the photos in to the team investigating the Challenger disaster. He eventually received a typewritten thank you letter from Charles J. Stevenson who was the head of the investigative team examining all photos from the launch. Stevenson said that one of Gotch’s photos was a key to understanding how the crew cabin separated from the shuttle.
Photo Credit: Mike Howard/Spaceflight Insider
As a result, the crew capsule would be redesigned, paving the way to safety for all future shuttle crews. Gotch said, “You can’t understand. It is beyond comprehension what this day means to me. To be here, 29 years later, it is just incredible. It brings it all together.”
Today’s ceremony is only part of NASA’s National Day of Remembrance, as NASA administrator Charlie Bolden visited Arlington National Cemetery for a 90-minute wreath laying ceremony. During this morning’s ceremony Bolden addressed NASA personnel and others, and wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration.
Bolden remarked, “Today we remember and give thanks for the lives and contributions of those who gave all trying to push the boundaries of human achievement. They have our eternal respect, love and gratitude.”
Charlie Bolden speaks at a wreath-laying ceremony in Arlington National Cemetery. Photo Credit: Joel Kowsky/NASA
He went on to say, “Today, their legacy lives on as the International Space Station (ISS) fulfills its promise as a symbol of hope for the world and a springboard to future missions. Our lost friends are with us in the strivings of all of our missions to take humans to destinations and to unlock the secrets of our universe.”
On Thursday, Jan. 29, at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, a candle lighting ceremony will be held led by center director Patrick Scheuermann along with former shuttle astronaut astronaut Robert “Hoot” Gibson at 9 a.m. CST (1330 GMT).
Photo Credit: Mike Howard / SpaceFlight Insider
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