Anniversary of Challenger disaster

Library ISBN 978-0-7660-4073-1

On this day in 1986, the space shuttle Challenger exploded 72 seconds after it took off from Florida's Cape Canaveral. A history teacher, Christa McAuliffe, was the first passenger/observer of the Teacher in Space Program.

In Space Shuttle Disaster, author Henry M. Holden describes what happened that day, which was the worst tragedy in the history of the space program. Author Holden explains the background of the launch, including issues with ice because Florida had recently been experiencing very cold temperatures. There were three different types of astronauts on the shuttle: the flight crew, mission specialists, and payload specialists. Job descriptions for each astronaut type is explained.

After the tragedy, President Ronald Reagan created a special commission to determine how this accident happened, and how to prevent something like this from happening again in the future. The commission came up with recommendations, however those recommendations had to be backed up with physical proof.

This book (and the entire series) would be of interest to the student fascinated with space flight, as well as discovering and exploring space.

The Coolest Job in the Universe

Library ISBN: 978-0-7660-4074-8

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work aboard the International Space Station?

Designed to provide living and working space for a crew of up to seven, it was built with parts supplied by or astronauts from 16 different countries. These parts were transported via space shuttles and contains three main sections.

Every shuttle that arrives with fresh supplies also turns into a trash shuttle when it returns to earth. There is no way to throw away food packages, human waste, and solid waste. There are no clothes washing machines or dryers, so all clothes are disposable.

Makes you appreciate the comforts of home, doesn't it?

Today is the anniversary of the first American woman in space

978-0-7660-4073-1 library
978-1-4644-0078-0 paperback

On June 18, 1983, Dr. Sally Ride became the first American woman in space aboard the space shuttle Challenger. This was the second flight for Challenger, and the first flight for a five-person crew. Dr. Ride was a mission specialist, and during this flight, they deployed a satellite for Canada as well as one for Indonesia, among other duties. They spent 147 hours in space before landing. This is the same space shuttle that exploded in January 1986.

Enslow Publishers has recently published a six-book series entitled American Space Missions. Dr. Ride is mentioned in the Space Shuttle Disaster title, when President Ronald Reagan asked her to be part of the Rogers Commission, which was formed to try to determine the cause of the accident.

Written for the reluctant reader, this series will keep those students who are interested in space wanting to read all of them. Other titles in the series include: The Coolest Job in the World; Danger in Space; Eye on the Universe; Spacewalk; and Walking on the Moon.

On this day in 1983

Astronaut Sally K. Ride became America's first woman in space as she and four colleagues blasted off aboard the space shuttle Challenger.