Book Review: Teacher in Space

Teacher in Space

Christa McAuliffe and the Challenger Legacy

by Colin Burgess

 University of Nebraska Press 

 Biographies & Memoirs  |  Nonfiction (Adult) 

Pub Date 01 Jun 2020

I am reviewing a copy of Teacher in Space through University of Nebraska Press and Netgalley:

January 28, 1986 the space shuttle orbiter Challenger lifted off into the clear blue skies over Florida on mission STS-51L, carrying a crew of seven, including teacher Christa McAuliffe.  But only seventy three seconds into the launch, a huge explosion tore the challenger apart, to the horror on spectators and those watching on television sets around the country.

In this revised addition of Teacher in Space we lean how Christa McAuliffe went from a well loved Highschool teacher to occupying the Veteran orbiters tenth and final seat on what would turn out to be  its last flight into space.

McAuliffe had a dream, that she would carry out science projects while in orbit around the earth and those projects would then be telecast to schools throughout the country, sadly instead of science projects being telecasted to school, it would be the explosion of the challenger only seventy three seconds into the mission.  Her story, and the stories of  the others aboard, but the ambition to educate from space did not die with Christa, her determination to use space travel as an educational tool became an inspiration to many, and her name and the names of the rest of the Challenger Crew manifested itself in the establishment of hundreds of youth education programs and institutes of learning across America and around the world.

If you are looking for a story that is both tragic, and inspirational, a remarkable story of renewed faith, as well hope and cooperation for the future, you will love Teacher in Space.

I give Teacher In Space five out of five stars!