Remembering Challenger: A letter from the Associate Administrator for Office of Space Flight

STS-51L crew meember from lft front: Micheal Smith, Francis Scobee and Dr. Ronald McNair. 2nd row from lft: Ellison Onizuka, S. Christa Corrigan McAuliffe, Gregory B. Jarvis and Dr. Judith A. Resnik

We recently observed the 17th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger accident. It's important to remember the valiant crew of Challenger. To your own "Challengers," the rest of Americans and citizens of the world, the Challenger crew's quest to conquer the unknown should continue to serve as an inspiration.

We must strive for excellence in all we do -- certainly the consequences in human space exploration, where margins are razor thin, are unthinkable. We are graded on a very harsh curve. For us, 99% is not an "A," it is an "F" -- and for us, failure is simply not an option. Likewise, neither is turning our backs on exploration simply because it's too hard or too risky. We owe it to the Dick and Mike and El and JR and Ron and Christa and Greg to continue their quest.

So, we're back. We've redoubled our efforts and have eighty-eight successful shuttle missions and an International Space Station to show for it. Earlier this month, STS-107 Columbia, the first Space Shuttle to fly in April 1981, flew during the anniversary of the Challenger, as well as our ISS -- now as big as a jumbo jet and now home of the sixth permanent crew! Both are due to the commitment to safety of the NASA/contractor Team and evidence that sacrifice of the Challenger crew and their dream lives on today.

Further, the addition of "Inspiring the Next Generation of Explorers" as a NASA core mission, assignment of Christa's backup, Barbara Morgan to fly this year on STS-118 to the ISS to teach from space, and unveiling of the NASA Educator Astronaut Program (http://edspace.NASA.gov) to select even more teachers are very compelling tributes to the memory of the STS-51L crew.

So, when you're thinking that math is hard and competition is too. Failure in these kinds of competitions isn't in getting a wrong answer. Failure is in not participating. Failure is in not pushing yourself. Failure is in not giving yourself a chance to learn. Winning happens by participating, trying, (sometimes not succeeding.) Winning is about learning and not quitting -- not only about Math, but about life.

My very best to you as you start your own quests. You can become whatever you can dream.

Reach for the Stars!
Bill Readdy, Associate Administrator for the Office of Space Flight