The space shuttle flight that took off on January 28, 1986 had captured the American public’s attention, indeed the world’s, with the inclusion of Christa McAuliffe. While trained as a Payload Specialist, she was a teacher and, chosen from over 11,000 applicants, would be the first teacher in space. This episode follows the Challenger crew training and the ensuing disaster when the craft exploded 73 seconds into the flight. The episode depicts the aftermath the investigation and includes President Reagan’s remarks at the memorial ceremony for the crew that he called heroes, who answered a call beyond duty. NASA’s shuttle fleet was grounded for almost three years until September 29, 1988 with the launch of Space Shuttle Discovery. The Challenger Crew: Teacher-in-Space payload specialist Sharon Christa McAuliffe; payload specialist Gregory Jarvis; and astronauts Judith A. Resnik, mission specialist; Francis R. (Dick) Scobee, mission commander; Ronald E. McNair, mission specialist; Mike J. Smith, pilot; and Ellison S. Onizuka, mission specialist.