NASA Pays Tribute to Fallen Heroes

	Goddard employees gathered in builidng 8 auditorium to view STS-107 Memorial Service. Photo by Chris Gunn/293

On Tuesday, Feb 4, a memorial service was held for the fallen astronauts of STS-107 at the Johnson Space Center, Houston TX. The ceremony included the family members of the astronauts, President and Mrs. George Bush and NASA-JSC employees. The service was carried live on NASA TV and members of the NASA family, including here at GSFC, gathered in auditoriums, conference rooms and offices across the country to view the televised event.

The Memorial service began with NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe. O'Keefe expressed how deep the grief was throughout the NASA family. He made the solemn pledge, "that we [NASA] have the tremendous duty to honor the legacy of the fallen heroes by finding out what caused the loss of the Columbia and its crew, to correct what problems we find and to make sure this never happens again."

NASA Administrator, Sean O'Keefe speaking at Memorial Service.

O'Keefe reflected on the achievements of flight, which its centennial is being celebrated this year, and recognized the STS-107 crews' "ambitious research and exploration activities that honored the dreams and explorers everywhere." Additionally he praised the bravery of the astronauts and acknowledged all the various benefits that were to be received from the STS-107 mission, including the many student experiments managed by Goddard. Although some of the experiments outcome will not be known, he "assured that the future astronauts will orbit new experiments, addressing the fascinating research questions that motivated this mission..." and that the NASA pledge includes more student participants "in learning adventures" similar to the ones which participated in the STS-107 mission.

O'Keefe concluded by sharing what astronaut [full name] saw while Columbia circled the globe. It was "a stunning view of the Earth at sunset" which she asked her crewmates to join in to view. "It is this image, the image of Columbia's crew joyfully joining to see our beautiful place reflected in their friends' eye that will be remembered and treasured forever."

Kent V. Rominger, head of the Astronaut office and a Shuttle commander, shared stories about the crew.

President Bush concluded the memorial program expressing how, "the nation shares in the sorrow and pride," of the families of the fallen astronauts. Bush honored each of the astronauts' exceptional talents and their high interest in exploration.

Bush then addressed the NASA family by commending all the employees on their efforts of maintaining, "professionalism" and remaining focused on the NASA mission while still in their grief. Bush then gave words of encouragement by quoting Captain David Brown when he said, "America's space program will go on." Bush further said, "This cause in exploration and discovery is not an option we choose, it is a desire written in the human heart."

Bush spoke to the families of the astronauts giving them words of comfort and told them to hold their heads high and be proud saying, "the names of the astronauts are known and remembered and will always have an honored place in the memory of this country."

A limited number of VHS copies of both the NASA-JSC Memorial Service and the National Cathedral Memorial Service are available in the Public Affairs office for employees to borrow and watch with their colleagues and families. To borrow a tape, contact Leslee Cork in the Public Affairs Office at 6-7565 or come to the PAO office located in room N150, building 8.