NASA marks 25th anniversary of Challenger disaster
U.S. space agency NASA on Friday pause to remember the deadly explosion of the Challenger space shuttle this year 25 days ago.
The shuttle disintegrated shortly after launch January 28, 1986, killing all seven astronauts aboard. The disaster was followed live on television for many Americans, including schoolchildren tuned to see the first teacher-astronaut Christa McAuliffe Space Travel.
Memorial service was scheduled at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
NASA manager Charlie Bolden has marked its annual Memorial Day service on Thursday, the astronauts were killed by placing a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery outside Washington.
The day is also used to honor the three astronauts killed in a fire aboard Apollo I, January 27, 1967 and the seven crew members killed when space shuttle Columbia when dissolved in the new atmosphere on the February 1, 2003.
"Throughout history we have seen, to achieve great things happen sometimes at great cost, and we mourn those brave astronauts who made the ultimate sacrifice in support of NASA missions in the storied history of the body, "Obama said in a statement.
"Through triumphs and tragedies, all benefited from his courage and dedication, and honor his memory by dedicating ourselves to a better future. Despite the challenges before us, we are committed and continue their journey towards a more dynamic and courageous the future. "
In 1967, Gus Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chaffee died in the launch pad when a flash fire engulfed their command module during the practice of the first Apollo / Saturn mission. They were the first American astronauts to die in the line of duty.
U.S. Space Shuttle Columbia broke up over 203 000 meters north of Central Texas 09:00 ET Feb. 1, 2003, as it descended from orbit into the atmosphere toward a landing at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The seven astronauts aboard the shuttle Columbia were David Brown, Laurel Clark, William McCool, Ilan Ramon, Michael Anderson, Kalpana Chawla, Indian-born, and her husband Rick. All died in the tragedy.