In a tragic turn of events, parts of the Wright Flyer, the first powered aircraft, made it to space but met a devastating end. On January 28, 1986, pieces of wood and fabric from the iconic 1903 Flyer were aboard the space shuttle Challenger flight STS-51-L. The shuttle, carrying all seven astronauts, exploded just 73 seconds after liftoff [5266caa6]. This heartbreaking incident serves as a reminder of the risks and dangers involved in space travel.
Despite this tragedy, the legacy of the Wright Flyer and the achievements of astronauts continue to inspire and captivate us. From the early days of space exploration to the present, humans have pushed the boundaries of what is possible, reaching for the stars and beyond. The triumphs and tragedies of astronauts like those on the Challenger mission remind us of the incredible risks they take and the sacrifices they make in the pursuit of knowledge and exploration.
The Wright Flyer, built by Orville and Wilbur Wright, marked a significant milestone in human history. On December 17, 1903, the Flyer successfully completed the first powered flight, lasting just 12 seconds but forever changing the course of aviation. Its journey from the sandy dunes of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, to the vast expanse of space is a testament to human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of progress.
On April 12, 1981, the space shuttle Columbia lifted off from Kennedy Space Center carrying astronauts John Young and Bob Crippen. The two-day mission of STS-1 proved the shuttle's ability to safely launch and land, marking the beginning of the era of reusability in spaceflight. The first flight faced challenges, including damage to the body flap and the presence of ejection seats that were only usable for the first 100 seconds of flight. Columbia was the only orbiter equipped with ejection seats. If one of the main engines failed early in the flight, the crew would have performed a 'return to launch site' abort, a risky procedure that was not attempted on the first mission. The shuttle's iconic orange external tank was initially painted white for the first two flights but was later left unpainted to save weight. The first space shuttle flight took place on April 12, 1981, the same date as the anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's first human spaceflight in 1961. The space shuttle orbiter glided in for an unpowered landing, marking the first 'touchdown' call for NASA, as previous astronauts had returned to Earth in capsules that parachuted into the ocean.
American aviator Lowell Smith faced a difficult choice as he led a squadron of four seaplanes over the Pacific Ocean in early 1924. To the south, a wall of 'snow and squalls' rose between them and Japanese territory. To the north, clear skies stretched toward the remote Komandirskiye Islands of Soviet Russia. Smith opted to 'take our chances with the Bolsheviks rather than face the wrath of the storms,' and banked his aircraft toward Soviet territory. Smith was one of eight pilots attempting the first circumnavigation of the world by airplane. The mission required a team of pathfinding military staff to set off ahead of the planes and compile intelligence reports that noted possible landing sites and local quirks of weather for far-flung refueling sites. On April 6, 1924, four Douglas World Cruiser biplanes specially adapted for the task set off from Seattle, Washington. The mission quickly ran into serious trouble when the Seattle crashed into a mountainside in Alaska. With the never-before-flown waters between Alaska and Japan becoming increasingly unsettled as the planes neared, Lowell Smith and the other Americans secretly discussed the option of meeting a refueling vessel off the Komandirskiye Islands in Soviet territory. The American planes flew for hours over the featureless Bering Sea, pointing their noses toward Soviet territory. When one of the Soviet islands was finally spotted, a boat filled with 'bearded men' set off from the island. The Russians apologized for not inviting the Americans onto shore but explained they needed permission from Moscow before they could do so. The following day, Soviet leadership refused the Americans clearance to step ashore, but the island's servicemen sent out a boat to deliver a jug of vodka as a gesture of goodwill before the refueled Americans departed for Japan. From Asia, the fleet headed over Persia and the Middle East and toward Europe, where they flew over the World War I battlefields of Romania. The final geographical colossus the men faced was the open ocean of the North Atlantic. On August 3, the Boston was forced to land in choppy seas in the middle of the North Atlantic. When the planes finally arrived on American soil, they were greeted by frenzied crowds of well-wishers. The trip had taken 363 flying hours over 175 calendar days and covered 42,398 kilometers. The aviators involved were awarded the Distinguished Service Medal and inundated with gifts from well-wishers.
Today, as we reflect on the tragic fate of the Wright Flyer's remnants aboard the Challenger and the Columbia tragedies, as well as the pioneering circumnavigation of the world by American pilots and the first space shuttle launch, we honor the memory of those who lost their lives in pursuit of scientific advancement. Their sacrifice serves as a reminder of the risks inherent in space exploration and the importance of continued dedication to safety and innovation [5266caa6] [8278e7d6].
More than 20 years later, the families of the Columbia crew continue to honor their loved ones' legacies. The crew members, who spent nearly three years getting to know each other, formed a strong bond and worked well together. After the shuttle broke apart over Texas due to a foam strike on the left wing, the families relied on their faith to navigate their grief. Jonathan Clark, husband of Laurel Clark, has been working to make spaceflight safer and has become a member of the crew survival working group. Evelyn Husband, wife of Rick Husband, has maintained a relationship with NASA and has become a board member of a ministry called Fathers in the Field. Laura Husband, daughter of Rick Husband, reflects on her father's intentional time spent with his family and strives to foster beauty in the world. The Columbia kids, who grew up together, are creative in various ways and dream big [2b3ef2a3].
At NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center, five women have played a key role in the success of the DC-8 aircraft, the world's largest flying science laboratory. Kirsten Boogaard serves as the deputy project manager and leads project planning and integration. Nicki Reid, an operations engineer, ensures the airworthiness of the aircraft and manages communications with the cabin and cockpit crews. Carrie Worth, a pilot, has had a lifelong passion for flying and brings her experience from the U.S. Air Force and United Parcel Service to the DC-8 program. Erin Waggoner, the branch chief of the Research Aerodynamics and Propulsion Branch, emphasizes the importance of teamwork and mentorship in her role. Wendy Bereda, the site supervisor for the maintenance contract, has been with the DC-8 program for 25 years and is recognized for her administrative excellence. The DC-8 aircraft will retire to Idaho State University after 37 years of service [8e93fb7b] [4546edf9].
NASA's DC-8 aircraft will fly at low altitude over San Jose and surrounding areas during its final flight from NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, to Idaho State University. After 37 years of successful airborne science missions, the DC-8 aircraft is retiring at Idaho State University, where it will be used to train future aircraft technicians. The flight will take place on Wednesday, May 15, between 11:00-11:30 AM. The flyover is conducted at a safe altitude without harm to the public, wildlife, or infrastructure. The DC-8's flight path can be followed in real-time on the Airborne Science website or through the FlightAware app. For more information, contact Erica Heim at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center [f1976c23] [5e2fcd48].
Kirsten Boogaard, Nicki Reid, Carrie Worth, Erin Waggoner, and Wendy Bereda of NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center have played key roles in the success of the DC-8 program. Kirsten Boogaard serves as the deputy project manager, mission manager, and assistant mission director. Nicki Reid is an operations engineer and mission director, responsible for ensuring the aircraft's safety and managing communications. Carrie Worth is a pilot with a background in special operations and search and rescue. Erin Waggoner is the branch chief of the Research Aerodynamics and Propulsion Branch. Wendy Bereda has worked on the DC-8 program for 25 years and is currently the site supervisor for the maintenance contract. These women have contributed to the legacy of innovation and exploration at NASA [f630968f].