O-Rings
O-Rings
by Elektra Hammond
Letter Steve to Christa, 1/23/1986
Darling—
The kids are good, but they miss you. It’s hard for them. You’ve been gone so long it feels like forever.
Don’t get me wrong—I’m the one who pushed you into applying to be the Teacher in Space, and I still think that NASA, and the whole world, are damn lucky to have you. I just wish there was some way that the kids and I didn’t have to give you up for so long to make it happen.
I thanked Scott for spurring us to move to New Hampshire—it’s been a godsend having family nearby. You should have seen the confused look on his face! I explained that we’d talked about raising our family in New Hampshire, but it wasn’t until he was born that we really sat down and hashed it out. It made him feel really good to know that he played such an important role in our relocation, and it distracted him from missing you. I’ve really done well here, working in the AG’s office, although I can’t help but wonder sometimes what would have happened if I’d taken that position at Justice and we’d stayed in D.C. One thing’s for sure—you wouldn’t be where you are. I think you’d be a lawyer, not a teacher, maybe working with me at Justice. Maybe on civil rights? With your knack for organization you might be a judge already. But I wouldn’t take going into space away from you, not for anything.
I still don’t have the whole “running the household” thing down. I don’t know how you do it. I’ve practically been living on cornflakes for the last nine months. If not for your parents and mine feeding the kids from time to time—and taking them off my hands once in a while so I can catch up—I don’t know what I would do. There’s not enough time to work and take care of the kids and cook and do laundry. And sleep. It has been the longest nine months of my life. I am so proud that you’re doing this, but I don’t know if I can keep it up.
I so miss our old life, when we did everything together. I miss you, space lady. This is my last letter before we see you in Florida—can’t wait.
I love you, always.
—Steve a.k.a. the Cornflake Kid
MEMORANDUM
To: Jess Moore, Associate Administrator of the Office of Space Flight, NASA Mission Management Team
From: Allan J. McDonald, Senior Representative, Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Motor Project, Morton Thiokol
Subject: Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs)
Date: 27 January 1986
I cannot sign off on the launch of Challenger tomorrow, due to concerns about the ability of the SRBs to perform in extremely low temperatures. The Solid Rocket Boosters are only rated as low as 40 degrees—it could be as much as 20 degrees lower than that tomorrow. There have been some indications of trouble with temperatures as high as 53 degrees. This is a possible design flaw we need to investigate further.
Weather below freezing may also cause the formation of ice on the launch pad, a circumstance that we have not allowed for. It could cause unanticipated problems with the launch or, in the worst case, damage to the shuttle.
Additionally, I’ve been advised the shuttle recovery ships are experiencing rough seas. They need to check over their equipment and are currently too far out of position to support an early morning launch.
In my professional opinion, we should delay until more clement weather, ideally a minimum of 55 degrees.
[NASA News Logo]
National Aeronautics and
Space Administration
John F. Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899
AC 305 867-2468
___________________________________________
For Release
Shirley M. Green Immediate
Headquarters/Washington, D.C.
SHUTTLE MISSION 51-L LAUNCH POSTPONED
Shuttle mission 51-L, originally scheduled to launch on January 28, 1986 has been postponed until Monday, February 3rd, 1986, due to unseasonably cold weather at the Kennedy Space Center.
NOTE TO EDITORS: This release and other NASA information is available electronically through ITT DIALCOM. For access to NASA NEWS through this system, contact Jim Hawley, ITT Dialcom, Inc. At 202/488-0550.
[Transcript of audio communication from Challenger]
I love you, Steve! How’re Scott and Caroline? We had a bit of excitement when we launched, made me realize how unprepared I really am, even after one hundred seventeen hours of training. One of the tool cabinets got knocked open and we ended up with some gear swinging through the cabin. The crew though is incredible. They locked it down before I could move. Ron and Judy somehow managed to grab the stuff and hang on to it, but one piece still smacked me in the arm. It could have been so much worse if they hadn’t been on the ball.
As soon as we have a good TV signal, I’ve got to give my class in space. I love you, Sweetheart. See you soon!
[Note on bottle of champagne from Barbara Morgan to Christa]
Christa—
Congrats! You did it!
It was the look on your face when you landed. I’ve heard of the look of eagles—never thought I’d actually see it. You seem…more, somehow. I was on the fence about what to do, but talking to you gave me real clarity. I’ve decided to stay in the program, train to be a mission specialist.
I’ve never been second best at anything, but it’s not jealousy. The joy you brought back—I want to follow the trail you blazed into space.
Your friend, forever,
Barbara
Concord Monitor, February 24, 1986
“Teacher in Space Returns Home” by Robert Hohler
Our newest celebrity is back. Concord High’s Christa McAuliffe returned home today after spending 6 days in space aboard the shuttle Challenger, doing what she does best—teaching. Now the whole world knows why her classes are so popular. She’s in town for a few days to spend time with her family before she goes on tour promoting NASA and the space program.
I had the opportunity to view her lessons from space, along with the students from Concord High, and the energy in the room was incredible. Her excitement about space exploration was evident in “Where We’ve Been, Where We’re Going, and Why,” the second of the transmissions from the Challenger. She looked so comfortable up there, weightless—a glimpse into our future. I could see that energy reflected on the faces of the students, as her fascination with history and science drew them into the lesson. I predict an awful lot of these kids are going to work hard on their science homework, with thoughts of being astronauts on their mind.
If only I were younger…
Letter Steve to Christa, 6/15/1986
Darling—
I’m okay, busier than usual. The kids are great—the usual end of the school year stuff is keeping them busy. Scott is doing great in all his classes, despite all the distractions. I’m afraid Caroline has been a little off—we might see some Cs on her report card this term. She’s been talking about being a teacher, just like her mom. Scott wants to be an astronaut, like his mom. No lawyers to follow in their dad’s footsteps.
I keep trying to set aside time every Sunday to write you, but I get distracted trying to catch up with the stuff I didn’t do all week. Mundane stuff like laundry and cleaning.
I’ve also been under the gun at work. We’ve got a huge case that may end up being a class action suit against one of the utilities. It’s keeping everyone occupied taking depositions and correlating information. If it’s as big as I think it is, we might end up before the Supreme Court. Or they could settle. That would be better for the clients, I think.
I miss you very, very much. Not just because the house runs so much better when you’re here. I mean, it does, but it’s empty enough to echo when you’re out of town. After the kids go to bed, I wish I could call you. But I never know the number. You’re traveling all the time. I know it’s exhausting for you, but holding down the fort is tiring, too.
I miss you more than I can adequately explain.
I love you,
—Steve a.k.a. chief holder down of Fort McAuliffe
Concord Monitor, January 20, 1987
President Reagan has announced he will nominate Steven J. McAuliffe to be Federal district judge for the District of New Hampshire. Mr. McAuliffe is currently in private practice in Concord, New Hampshire. Previously he served as an assistant attorney general in New Hampshire.
Letter Christa to Steve, 1/20/1987
Sweetheart—
It’s so exciting that you’re going to be a judge. I know it’s something that you thought would happen one day, but not so soon. That class action suit you were lead on, and the great settlement you got the utility to give up, really put you in the public eye. I know this is just the start of great things for you!
I’ll make sure that I’m in Washington for your confirmation hearing—it looks better if your spouse is there to support you. I’m sure my mom will take care of the kids. Maybe you could stay in Washington for a couple of days and we could have a weekend away, just the two of us?
Love you,
—Christa
Telegram Christa McAuliffe to Steven McAuliffe, 3/18/1987
STEVE, CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING CONFIRMED. SO SORRY I COULDN’T MAKE THE HEARING, EMERGENCY CAME UP. WILL CALL YOU WHEN YOU RETURN TO NEW HAMPSHIRE. LOVE, CHRISTA
Letter Steve to Christa, 10/18/1987
Darling—
The kids are starting to act out. They miss you. You need to call more often. Better yet, you need to visit. Sending them letters once in a while, and calling them once a week, just isn’t enough. You’ve only been home once since Christmas!
This is really, really wearing on me. It’s not that I mind taking care of the kids, but I’ve been doing this solo act almost nonstop 2 1/2 years. I’m starting to forget what you look like. The kids need their mother. Don’t get me wrong—it’s great that you’re promoting the space program and you’re writing a book, but don’t forget that you have a family. We need you, too.
There was a time when we could talk about anything. We made it through college in different states—but back then you visited me all the time. Remember coming down to VMI every couple of weeks? We had it great back then. I didn’t appreciate how lucky I was that you took the time to come visit when you had classes of your own back home. Troublemaker that I was, I was restricted to campus most weekends. And I was the only guy walking patrol whose girlfriend walked it with him, keeping him company. I set some sort of record for gaining rank and then losing it again. The high point of my entire college career was your visits.
From the time we started dating in high school, it’s always been you. I never even looked at another girl. I never wanted to.
We can work this out—I just need to see you and talk to you. Please.
I love you,
—Steve a.k.a. that guy from VMI
Letter Christa to Steve, 12/12/1987
Sweetheart—
I’ll be home from Christmas to New Year’s and we can have a mini-vacation. I’m so looking forward to finally getting home. I’m sorry I had to cancel my last two trips back—but the book is finally done. And I have just one more speaking engagement, then I’m done until next year.
I’ve missed you and the kids so much. I bought the kids little gifts from everywhere I’ve been, and I’ve got a bunch of magnets to add to the refrigerator.
I’ll set aside time to talk. And I’ll cook a bunch of stuff for the freezer. It’s not that much longer before I’ll be home for good.
Love you,
—Christa
Letter Steve to Christa, 12/13/1987
Darling—
We’re all fine here, eagerly waiting for you to get home for Christmas. I know you’ll be home soon, but I wanted to tell you again how much we all miss you. I can’t wait until you’re home full time. After Christmas, it’s just a few months and then you’re done, right? We get to go back to our rather dull, ordinary life all together in New Hampshire.
The Christmas tree is ready, sitting in the living room waiting for you so we can decorate it as a family. I’ve done all the shopping, all we need to make things perfect here is you.
Whatever you do, please don’t cancel this trip. I don’t know how I would explain it to the kids. We really need the family time. And you and I need to spend some quality time together.
How do you feel about going away the weekend after Christmas, just the two of us? We could drive down to Boston and stay in a nice hotel, maybe get tickets for a show or the ballet.
Merry Christmas. I love you,
—Steve a.k.a. the holiday cookie maker
Letter Christa to Steve, 3/30/1988
Sweetheart—
I got a job offer. I know this NASA thing was winding down, and I was supposed to be coming home for good, but I have to consider this.
Do you remember when I applied for the assistant principal job? I wanted to do more—not just teach classes but organize, run things, make a difference on a larger scale. This job would let me do that. I would be in charge of Communications—for all of NASA—helping get the message out. Think how many people I could help, how much good I could do.
But we’d have to move back to Washington. That wouldn’t be so bad—you’ve got contacts at Justice, and I know people, too. Or you could go into private practice—or work for congress. Your old boss Steny Hoyer is in the House of Representatives now, I bet he knows folks who need a good prosecutor.
Let’s talk about this.
I love you so very much. Please understand.
All my love,
—Christa
Letter Steve to Christa, 4/5/1988
Christa—
Please don’t take this job. You talked me into leaving Washington to go to New Hampshire—it was the right thing to do—but we can’t uproot again and move back. The kids are still in school. Our families are here. My job as a federal judge is here. It’s just not fair to the family. We’ve spent the last 3 years being the nonstop Christa show—is this ever going to end and go back to being the McAuliffe FAMILY?
I love you so very much, but for the sake of your children, think about this very hard.
Love,
—Steve
[NASA News Logo]
National Aeronautics and
Space Administration
John F. Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899
AC 305 867-2468
___________________________________________
For Release
Shirley M. Green May 13, 1988
Headquarters/Washington, D.C.
MCAULIFFE NAMED ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR FOR COMMUNICATIONS
S. Christa McAuliffe has been appointed Assistant Administrator for Communications at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The appointment is effective May 16, 1988.
McAuliffe first joined NASA when she was selected for Shuttle Mission 51-L, beating out thousands to be the first teacher-in-space, charming the nation as she conducted the ultimate field trip aboard the space shuttle Challenger.
For the year following the launch, she proved invaluable at promoting NASA and the space program. Her book, Space: The Ultimate Field Trip, based on her selection and training for the 51-L mission, was the top selling book of 1987.
Prior to working for NASA, McAuliffe was a teacher at Concord High in Concord, New Hampshire, where she developed a class called The American Woman, showing history from the perspective of ordinary people.
McAuliffe received a bachelor of arts degree from Framingham State College and a master’s degree in education from Bowie State University.
McAuliffe and her husband, Steve, have two children.
NOTE TO EDITORS: This release and other NASA information is available electronically through ITT DIALCOM. For access to NASA NEWS through this system, contact Jim Hawley, ITT Dialcom, Inc. At 202/488-0550.
Letter Christa to Steve, 5/10/1988, delivered in person with a big box of chocolates and a dozen red roses
Steve, Sweetheart—
I’m so sorry—this is the kind of job I’ve been looking for all my life. It will allow me to make a difference. Once the school year is over next month we can find a place, in the right school district, and move the kids down here.
I will spend the rest of my life working to make this move up to you. I promise.
It’ll be educational for the kids to live in Washington—they’ll love the Smithsonian and all the monuments, especially now that they’re old enough to really appreciate them. We’ll make sure you find a terrific job, too, even if I have to go door-to-door through the halls of Congress asking who’s looking for a prosecutor and telling them how great you would be.
I love you so very, very much,
—Christa
[NASA News Release ON LINE Logo]
JOHN F. KENNEDY SPACE CENTER
__________________________________________
Barbara Selby
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
February 2, 1994
(Phone: 202/358-1983)
RELEASE: 94-21
MCAULIFFE NAMED ASSOCIATE DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR POLICY
S. Christa McAuliffe has been appointed the Associate Deputy Administrator for Policy at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, starting February 3, 1994.
For the last five years, McAuliffe has been serving as the NASA Assistant Administrator for Communications. Almost exactly eight years ago she made history as the first civilian in space, as part of Shuttle Mission 51-L aboard the space shuttle Challenger.
The publicity surrounding her shuttle trip was a boon to NASA, helping justify our budget requests. She’s been a part of the NASA family ever since, taking on growing responsibilities as she helped build NASA’s image into something we’re all proud of.
Prior to working for NASA, McAuliffe was a teacher at Concord High in Concord, New Hampshire.
McAuliffe has a bachelor of arts from Framingham State College, a master’s in education from Bowie State University, and a master of business administration from Georgetown University.
McAuliffe and her husband, Steve, have two children.
-end-
Letter Christa to Steve, 4/5/1995
Steve—
The kids are done with school June 10th. There are some parties that weekend they’ll want to attend.
Feel free to make arrangements for them to travel up to New Hampshire for the summer any time after that. They’ll need to be back by August 20th for me to get them ready for the school year.
—Christa
[NASA News Release ON LINE Logo]
JOHN F. KENNEDY SPACE CENTER
__________________________________________
Dwayne C. Brown
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
April 8, 1999
(Phone: 202/358-1983)
RELEASE: 99-51
MCAULIFFE NAMED NASA ADMINISTRATOR
S. Christa McAuliffe has been appointed Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, effective immediately.
McAuliffe began her NASA career as the “teacher-in-space” aboard the space shuttle Challenger in 1986. She combined working to promote NASA to the general public with improving internal communications and organization, moving steadily through the ranks until her current appointment.
McAuliffe has a strong commitment to education. She worked as a teacher at Concord High in Concord, New Hampshire prior to joining NASA, and she has a bachelor of arts from Framingham State College, a master’s in education from Bowie State University, and a master of business administration from Georgetown University. She is currently working toward her doctor of philosophy in government from Georgetown.
McAuliffe has two children.
-end-