posted 01-23-2001 04:18 PM               

They show leaves you with a speech by the STS-26 crew. I wont write it all down, but can say it is a great speech. I have a few questions:

1) Does anyone know where the text of the speech might be found? I listened to the tape and wrote it all down; except for one sentence, which is garbled.

2) Who read it aloud? And who wrote it?

3) Does anyone have recorded coverage (TV?) of STS-26; the launch, mainly. And TV programs surrounding it? Apollo11Lem5 was nice in providing me with STS 1 and 51L tapes.

STS-26 has just become a very significant mission to me; some might say the moon landing was the great moment in space history; otehrs Sputnik, or Gagarin, or Shepherd or Glenn. But not me. This may come from not having lived those events, but: in my opinion, as of now, the greatest was 11:40am, Sept 29th 1988, when the boosters spearated cleanly from Discovery. It proved that we could go on. Triumph over tragedy.

Truly a great speech.

posted 01-23-2001 05:10 PM               

October 2, 1988 - Earth Orbit

Hilmers:

We'd like to take just a few moments today to share with you some of the sights that we have been so privileged to view over the past several days. As we watch along with you, many emotions well up in our hearts-- joy, for America's return to space-- gratitude, for our nation's support through difficult times-- thanksgiving, for the safety of our crew-- reverence, for those whose sacrifice made our journey possible.

Lounge:

Gazing outside we can understand why mankind has looked towards the heavens with awe and wonder since the dawn of human existence. We can comprehend why our countrymen have been driven to explore the vast expanse of space. And we are convinced that this is the road to the future--the road that Americans must travel if we are to maintain the dream of our Constitution---to ".. secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and to our posterity."

Covey:

As we, the crew of Discovery, witness this earthly splendor from America's spacecraft, less than 200 miles separates us from the remainder of mankind; in a fraction of a second our words reach your ears. But lest we ever forget that these few miles represent a great gulf--that to ascend through this seemingly tranquil sea will always be fraught with danger-- let us remember the Challenger crew whose voyage was so tragically short. With them we shared a common purpose; with them we shared a common goal.

Nelson:

At this moment our place in the heavens makes us feel closer to them than ever before. Those on Challenger who had flown before and had seen these sights, they would know the meaning of our thoughts. Those who had gone to view them for the first time, they would know why we have set forth. They were our fellow sojourners; they were our friends.

Hauck:

Today, up here where the blue sky turns to black, we can say at long last, to Dick, Mike, Judy, to Ron and El, and to Christa and to Greg...

"Dear friends, we have resumed the journey that we promised to continue for you; dear friends, your loss has meant that we could confidently begin anew; dear friends, your spirit and your dream are still alive in our hearts."