Challenger to Endeavour: Morgan ready for space

09:18 AM MDT on Monday, August 6, 2007

Alyson Oüten
Idaho's News Channel 7

CAPE CANAVERAL , FL - For most, it is nearly impossible to look ahead to this week's shuttle launch without looking back at what was supposed to be NASA’s first Teacher in Space mission - the ill-fated Shuttle Challenger in 1986.

The Shuttle Endeavour is in position at the Kennedy Space Center - awaiting Wednesday's launch to the International Space Station.

It is a historic mission that hopes to pick up where Challenger left off - this time taking McCall school teacher Barbara Morgan into outer space.

It is a decades old story...just waiting for a happy ending. A tale that spans the emotional spectrum - from the highest of highs, to the lowest of lows.

For Idaho school teacher Barbara Morgan, it begins in 1985...with an out of this world opportunity.

Through NASA's new Teacher in Space program, Barbara Morgan was instantly launched into the national spotlight - a far cry from her quaint classroom in McCall.

"I think the more you experience, the better teacher you become and I want to share that experience with my students," Barbara Morgan said in 1985.

Out of 11,000 teachers to apply, Morgan became the second in line for liftoff. Not only did she become the backup for fellow teacher Christa McAuliffe - she became her friend.

For 6 months the two trained in tandem as NASA ramped up preparations for the launch of the Challenger, the Space Shuttle that would carry America's first Teacher in Space.

In living rooms and classrooms across the nation, Americans watched the historic launch. Then, moments later - witnessed one of NASA’s worst tragedies unfold on live television. On January 28th, 1986 the Challenger exploded, killing all on board - including Christa McAullife.

About two weeks later, Morgan returned to Idaho and to her classroom...seeming more determined than ever.

“There are always tragedies in life and we have an obligation to carry on," Morgan told KTVB after the disaster.

But, in a network interview with Jane Pauley, Morgan said she knew it would take time before it was her time. She told Pauley it could be as long as two years, but “maybe more.”

It was a lot more - 21 years to be exact.

Today, Barbara Morgan's mission remains the same as it was in the 80s: to inspire young minds. But, also to carry on the legacy of those who helped pave the way for a teacher in space.

"Carrying on is a great way to put it because, the Challenger's legacy is open ended,” Morgan said last month. “All school teachers’ legacies are open ended and all space mission's legacies are open-ended and it goes on and on and on way into the future and I think that's a good thing."

The shuttle is scheduled to liftoff at about 4:30 Mountain Time Wednesday. Among those anxiously awaiting the launch, is Clay Morgan, Barbara’s husband. Hear more from him on KTVB.COM and the Evening News Monday evening.