Posts: 803
From: Hudson, MA
Registered: Jul 2005

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.

Posts: 6358
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006

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.

Posts: 3337
From: Houston, TX
Registered: May 2001

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.

Posts: 51532
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

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.

Posts: 803
From: Hudson, MA
Registered: Jul 2005

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.

Posts: 3337
From: Houston, TX
Registered: May 2001

posted 08-08-2007 11:40 AM               

---

I was agreeing with you, Paul.

It is a heartbreaking video.

Posts: 3064
From: Titusville, FL
Registered: Feb 2005

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.

Posts: 51532
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

Posts: 237
From: Amarillo, TX, USA
Registered: Dec 2006

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.

Posts: 3289
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002

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.

Posts: 769
From: West Midlands, UK
Registered: Jun 2005

Posts: 463
From: Netherlands
Registered: May 2007

Posts: 3289
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002

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.