The Space Shuttle Catastrophe Off Cape Canaveral

Naturally, anyone’s first reaction to the tragedy that bestowed the crew of the spaceship Challenger would be one of extreme grief and remorse. I myself experienced these feelings after first learning of the seven astronauts’ fate. After reflecting for a short time I was consumed by a different emotion--one of admiration.

Anyone who has seen the suffering of a terminally ill cancer patient or the pain of a fatally injured accident victim just prior to death knows how terrible the realization of death can be. Considering this, the family and friends of the heroic seven become the figures of tragedy in this event. This fact was obvious to anyone who saw the pain so evident in the faces of Christa McAuliffe’s parents at the fateful moment of realization. Our hearts go out to these survivors whose suffering will not soon be eased.

My admiration goes out to the gallant seven who gave their lives. They were not consumed in death at that last moment, but were very much consumed in life. All were at the peak of their expectations--realizing their dreams. They did not suffer the pain or anticipation that the cancer patient or accident victim must endure. There was surely no anguish in Christa’s eyes at that precise second of mortality, but I would be willing to bet that her so familiar smile was very much in evidence as she prepared to take us, every-day people, with her to the stars.

RICK LOEFFLER

Hermosa Beach