Author
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Topic: NASA downplaying Barbara Morgan's connection to Challenger?
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Paul78zephyr Member Posts: 803 From: Hudson, MA Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 08-08-2007 09:18 AM
It is my opinion that while NASA may not be totally downplaying Barbara Morgan's 'Educator Astronaut' role on STS-118 it does seem to me that in their official releases, website, etc., they are intentionally downplaying her relationship to Christa McAuliffe and Challenger 51L. I understand that no one wants to relive that tragedy but I also feel that Barbara Morgans 'roots' and that of the 'Educator Astronaut'/'Teacher In Space' began with Christa McAuliffe and that downplaying that connection is an affront to her legacy. |
cspg Member Posts: 6358 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006
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posted 08-08-2007 09:26 AM
In view of how 51-L ended up, I can certainly understand why NASA doesn't want to relate too much with that flight.I don't think that McAuliffe's legacy is in question either. Both McAuliffe and Morgan were "civilians" part of the Teacher In Space (TIS) program which was terminated and replaced with the Educator Astronaut Project. Morgan now flies as a "real" mission specialist, which was not the case back in 1986. |
Scott Member Posts: 3337 From: Houston, TX Registered: May 2001
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posted 08-08-2007 09:31 AM
I agree, Paul. On a related note, here is a seldom seen video of Morgan watching the Challenger launch. I came upon it on YouTube recently and had never known about it or seen it before. I think Barbara's flight will be a tribute to Christa. |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 51532 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-08-2007 09:50 AM
Given that one of Morgan's scheduled educational downlinks is with the Challenger Center (with participation/attendance of the Challenger families) and given that Morgan and other members of the crew (in particular, Tracy Caldwell) have spoken at length to the press about the legacy of Christa McAuliffe, I think it would be difficult to sustain a case that NASA is downplaying Morgan's role as Teacher in Space back-up. That said, I do think NASA has worked to make sure that Morgan is not relegated to the shadow of Christa McAuliffe's legacy. Morgan is her own woman, and unlike McAuliffe, she is a fully-trained, member of the STS-118 crew. Morgan is today as much an astronaut as she is a teacher, and neither role should be diminished. The press/public need no help to remember Morgan as a teacher, but left unchecked, could be seen only as a teacher, hence perhaps an impression that NASA is "downplaying" Morgan's connection to Challenger. |
Paul78zephyr Member Posts: 803 From: Hudson, MA Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 08-08-2007 11:37 AM
quote: Originally posted by Scott: I agree, Paul.
I'm not sure if you are agreeing with me or with the previous post. I have never seen the video you posted. As soon as I started it and I saw the back of (presumably) Barbara Morgan cheering I clicked it off - I could not relive that moment, especially thru her eyes. I consider myself a pretty tough guy but all these years later I am unable to watch that. |
Scott Member Posts: 3337 From: Houston, TX Registered: May 2001
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posted 08-08-2007 11:40 AM
I was agreeing with you, Paul.It is a heartbreaking video. |
KSCartist Member Posts: 3064 From: Titusville, FL Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 08-08-2007 01:15 PM
I honestly don't believe that NASA is downplaying Christa or the Challenger crew with regards to this flight of a teacher.Besides the media wouldn't let them if they tried. There are significant differences. The most significant is that Barbara is an Educator Mission Specialist where Christa was a Space Flight Participant. Similar goals but two very different missions. Barbara said it best when she said, "Christa was and always will be our first Teacher In Space." As far as that YouTube video, all 112 Teacher In Space Ambassadors from around the country are at KSC for the launch. There will be many moist eyes tonight. |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 51532 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-08-2007 08:53 PM
From the front page of NASA.gov: Completing the Mission After 21 Years Editor's note: In 1986, Ed Campion was a NASA public affairs officer working on the Teacher in Space program. Now news chief at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, he sent this e-mail to friends offering his personal thoughts before the launch of STS-118. He graciously gave the NASA Web team permission to post it for all to read. |
Lunatiki Member Posts: 237 From: Amarillo, TX, USA Registered: Dec 2006
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posted 08-08-2007 11:15 PM
Thanks Scott. I had never seen that video."That's not right, thats not right at all". That video is a sad, but important piece of history. |
FFrench Member Posts: 3289 From: San Diego Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 08-09-2007 12:48 AM
I loved the comment as the shuttle reached orbit from Mission Control:"For Barbara Morgan and her crewmates, class is in session." That got a big laugh and cheer from the roomful of educators I was watching it with. |
robsouth Member Posts: 769 From: West Midlands, UK Registered: Jun 2005
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posted 08-09-2007 03:02 AM
I prefer the comment by commander Scott Kelly, "We'll see you in a couple of weeks and thanks for loaning us your space shuttle". |
Henk Boshuijer Member Posts: 463 From: Netherlands Registered: May 2007
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posted 08-09-2007 05:07 AM
I have the feeling that NASA was more careful now with the entire "teacher in space" thing. I remember lots of traumatized kids back in 1986 when Challenger exploded. They don't want that to happen again. |
FFrench Member Posts: 3289 From: San Diego Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 08-09-2007 02:29 PM
This is based on nothing but subjective opinion and may be totally off-base, but...... for a long time, I think NASA was a little hesitant about what publicity they might receive around a Barbara Morgan flight, considering how it would inevitably create all kinds of Challenger-tragedy-related coverage. As it is, this flight comes at a time when the agency has been dealing with coverage of the Lisa Nowak case, saboteurs to ISS equipment, drunken astronaut allegations, and a recent gunman at JSC. The coverage of this flight has probably been a blessing, getting the media focused back on an incredible, inspirational mission. It couldn't have come at a better time. |