Remembering the Challenger Disaster and Concord's Christa McAuliffe

40 years later, the tragic Challenger space shuttle explosion and the story of teacher Christa McAuliffe continue to resonate.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 11:07am

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On January 28, 1986, the Challenger space shuttle exploded just 73 seconds after launch, killing all seven crew members on board, including Christa McAuliffe, a teacher from Concord, New Hampshire who was selected to be the first ordinary citizen in space. The article recounts the experiences of those who witnessed the disaster, including a local family, reporters, and students, and explores the lasting impact of the tragedy on the Concord community.

Why it matters

The Challenger disaster was a pivotal moment in American history, shattering the public's trust in the safety of space travel and sparking a national conversation about the risks of pushing the boundaries of science and exploration. For the Concord community, the loss of Christa McAuliffe, a beloved local teacher, was especially devastating, as she represented the hopes and dreams of ordinary citizens to reach for the stars.

The details

The article details the experiences of several individuals who were present at the launch or closely connected to the Challenger mission. Mel Myler, a Concord resident, was at the launch site with his 10-year-old son Jason, and witnessed the explosion firsthand. Ralph Jimenez, a reporter for the Concord Monitor, had been covering the mission extensively and was on-site at Cape Canaveral when the disaster occurred. Tammy Hickey, a student at Concord High School, was watching the launch in the school cafeteria when the Challenger broke apart. The article also describes the experiences of Clint Cogswell, the principal of the Kimball School in Concord, who was chaperoning a group of third-grade students at the launch site.

  • On January 27, 1986, the launch was delayed due to a frozen bolt on the hatch of the Challenger.
  • On January 28, 1986, the Challenger space shuttle launched at 11:38 a.m. and exploded just 73 seconds later.

The players

Mel Myler

A Concord resident who was at the launch site with his 10-year-old son Jason when the Challenger exploded.

Ralph Jimenez

A reporter for the Concord Monitor who had been covering the Challenger mission extensively and was on-site at Cape Canaveral when the disaster occurred.

Tammy Hickey

A student at Concord High School who was watching the launch in the school cafeteria when the Challenger broke apart.

Clint Cogswell

The principal of the Kimball School in Concord who was chaperoning a group of third-grade students at the launch site.

Christa McAuliffe

A teacher from Concord, New Hampshire who was selected to be the first ordinary citizen in space, but tragically lost her life in the Challenger disaster.

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What they’re saying

“They're gone. They're gone. They're gone.”

— Diane Myler

“This isn't in the script. I mean, I have dead batteries in cordless drills, but NASA?”

— Ralph Jimenez, Reporter

“He was trying to get us all to quiet down. He finally screamed: 'It exploded.'”

— Kris Coronis Jacques, Teacher

What’s next

The Challenger disaster led to a thorough investigation by NASA and the Rogers Commission, which uncovered design flaws and management issues that contributed to the tragedy. The findings of the investigation led to significant changes in NASA's safety protocols and the way it manages space missions.

The takeaway

The Challenger disaster remains a poignant reminder of the risks and sacrifices inherent in the pursuit of scientific and technological advancement. For the Concord community, the loss of Christa McAuliffe, a beloved local teacher, continues to be felt deeply, and the tragedy has become a symbol of the power of education and the enduring human spirit to overcome even the most devastating setbacks.