Photos: In memory of brave explorers
- Updated
The past week has marked the anniversaries of three NASA tragedies: Apollo 1, Space Shuttle Challenger and Space Shuttle Columbia. These men and women gave their lives in the pursuit of exploration.
In memory of brave explorers
- Anonymous
- Updated
Named by NASA Manned Spacecraft Center to be the primary crew for the first manned Apollo space flight are these astronauts in Houston, Texas on March 21, 1966. From left to right are Lt. Col. Edward H. White, II, USAF; Lt. Col. Virgil I. Grissom, USAF; and Lt. Roger B. Chaffee, USN. Grissom and White are veteran space travelers, while Chaffee will be taking his first orbital voyage. Grissom will be command pilot. (AP Photo)
In memory of brave explorers
- Anonymous
- Updated
Astronaut John Bull, right, models the new Apollo pressure suit incorporating changes recommended by the NASA Apollo review board on Jan. 22, 1968. At left Astronaut Jim Irwin wears the replaced suit. Changes were made after the disastrous Apollo capsule fire which cost the lives of three astronauts. In background is a grid board used as reference during measurement and mobility tests of the suit. (AP Photo/Pool)
In memory of brave explorers
- Harold Valentine
- Updated
The three Apollo 1 astronauts met their death on January 27 high on this Saturn Apollo gantry shown in Cape Kennedy, Florida on Jan. 28, 1967, when a flash fire struck inside their spacecraft as they were simulating a launch countdown. National Aeronautics and Space Administration officials escorted newsmen to the Saturn blockhouse (foreground) which is 1,000 feet from the base of the rocket. (AP Photo/Harold Valentine)
In memory of brave explorers
- ASSOCIATED PRESS
- Updated
The charred interior of the Apollo I spacecraft shown after the flash fire that killed astronauts Ed White, Roger Chaffee, and Virgil Grissom, January 27, 1967. (AP photo)
In memory of brave explorers
- ASSOCIATED PRESS
- Updated
The charred interior of the Apollo I spacecraft shown after the flash fire that killed astronauts Ed White, Roger Chaffee, and Virgil Grissom, January 27, 1967. (AP Photo)
In memory of brave explorers
- Ed Kolenovsky
- Updated
Astronaut Edward H. White II along with Astronauts Virgil I. Grissom and Roger B. Chaffee, the primary crew of the first manned Apollo space flight, went through the water training exercise about five miles in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Galveston, Texas on Oct. 27, 1966. Astronaut White leans out the hatch of the Apollo spacecraft as he inflates a rubber raft during emergency procedure training. (AP Photo/Ed Kolenovsky)
In memory of brave explorers
- JOE SKIPPER
- Updated
A large section of debris from the space shuttle Challenger is unloaded from U.S. Coast Guard cutter Dallas near the Kennedy Space Center in Port Canaveral, Fla., late Thursday night, Jan. 31, 1986. The debris was discovered floating in the Atlantic Ocean. The Challenger exploded 73 seconds after takeoff on Jan. 28. (AP Photo/Joe Skipper)
In memory of brave explorers
- Jim Kerlin
- Updated
Technicians and officials inspect the aluminum covered Apollo 1 spacecraft after it was lowered from its booster at pad 34 at Cape Kennedy, Florida on Feb. 17, 1967. Astronauts Virgil Grissom, Edward White and Roger Chaffee, lost their lives when a flash fire raced through the spacecraft on January 27. For the next several days the vehicle will be examined in detail by investigators probing to find out what caused the tragedy. (AP Photo/Jim Kerlin/Pool)
In memory of brave explorers
- Jim Kerlin
- Updated
The Apollo 1 spacecraft, with black smudge marks visible on the heat shield, is lowered from its Saturn 1 booster at Cape Kennedy,Florida on Feb. 17, 1967. For the next several days, the cone shaped hulk wrecked by the blaze that killed astronauts Virgil Grissom, Edward White and Roger Chaffee will be examined in detail by investigators probing to find out that caused the tragedy. (AP Photo/Jim Kerlin/Pool)
In memory of brave explorers
- Anonymous
- Updated
The crew of Apollo 204, also known as Apollo 1, shown in their space suits January, 1967. Front to rear are Virgil Grissom, Edward White, and Roger Chaffee. (AP photo/Nasa)
In memory of brave explorers
- Anonymous
- Updated
This is the official NASA photo of the crew of the Space Shuttle Challenger mission 51L. All seven members of the crew were killed when the shuttle exploded during launch on Jan. 28, 1986. From front left, are: astronauts Michael J. Smith, Francis R. (Dick) Scobee, and Ronald E. McNair. Rear left are: Ellison Onizuka, Christa McAuliffe, Gregory Jarvis, and Judith Resnik. (AP Photo)
In memory of brave explorers
- Anonymous
- Updated
Members of the Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident walk across in front of two solid rocket boosters and the external tank being fitted in the Vehicle Assembly building at Kennedy Space Center, Jan. 28, 1986. The commission is at Kennedy Space Center following the explosion of Space Shuttle Challenge to try and determine the cause. (AP Photo)
In memory of brave explorers
- ASSOCIATED PRESS
- Updated
Debris from the ill-fated Space Shuttle Challenger is unloaded by from Coast Guard cutter Dallas, Feb. 19, 1986. The explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger on January 28 killed all seven crew members. (AP Photo)
In memory of brave explorers
- Bruce Weaver
- Updated
The Space Shuttle Challenger is seen as it lifts off the pad on its aborted mission in Kennedy Space Center, Florida, Jan. 28, 1986. Seen at the bottom section of the solid rocket booster, just to the right of the right wing of Challenger, a black plume of smoke can be seen. Investigators believe this is the first indication of a problem with the shuttle flight. Seven astronauts died in the ill-fated mission. (AP Photo/Bruce Weaver)
In memory of brave explorers
- BRUCE WEAVER
- Updated
The Space Shuttle Challenger explodes shortly after lifting off from Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Tuesday, Jan. 28, 1986. All seven crew members died in the explosion, which was blamed on faulty o-rings in the shuttle's booster rockets. The Challenger's crew was honored with burials at Arlington National Cemetery. (AP Photo/Bruce Weaver)
In memory of brave explorers
- Anonymous
- Updated
The space shuttle challenger explodes 73 seconds after takeoff on Jan. 28, 1986, at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. This picture shows the main engine exhaust, solid rocket booster plume and an expanding ball of gas from the external tank, visible seconds after the space shuttle Challenger exploded. The seven crew members perished in the explosion. One of the shuttle's booster rockets, whose faulty O-rings were blamed for the disaster, shoots off to the right. (AP Photo/NASA)
In memory of brave explorers
- Anonymous
- Updated
The Space Shuttle Challenger lifts off Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, at 11:38 a.m., EST, January 28, 1986. The entire crew of seven was lost in the explosion 73 seconds into the launch. (AP Photo/NASA)
In memory of brave explorers
- STEVE HELBER
- Updated
Four crew members of the Space Shuttle Challenger walk from their quarters at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., en route to the launch pad Jan. 28, 1986. Challenger exploded moments into the launch, killing all seven of the crew, including, from front: pilot Mike Smith, school teacher Christa McAuliffe, mission specialist Ellison Onizuka and payload specialist Gregory Jarvis. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
In memory of brave explorers
- Anonymous
- Updated
This photo released by NASA shows STS-107 crew members in their group photo. Space Shuttle Columbia crew, left to right, front row, Rick Husband, Kalpana Chawla, William McCool, back row, David Brown, Laurel Clark, Michael Anderson and Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon are shown in this undated crew photo. NASA declared an emergency and feared the worst after losing communication with space shuttle Columbia as the ship and its seven astronauts soared over Texas several minutes before its expected landing Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003. (AP Photo/NASA)
In memory of brave explorers
- ASSOCIATED PRESS
- Updated
The space shuttle Columbia, shown from the lefthand side during liftoff on Jan. 16, 2003 from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Space shuttle Columbia broke apart in flames 200,000 feet over Texas on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003 killing all seven astronauts just minutes before they were to glide to a landing in Florida. One potential focus possible damage to Columbia's protective thermal tiles on the left wing from a flying piece of debris during liftoff. The cause of the tragedy was not immediately known. An independent commission was appointed to investigate. One potential focus is possible damage to Columbia's protective thermal tiles on the left wing from a flying piece of debris during liftoff.(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
In memory of brave explorers
- PAUL KIZZLE
- Updated
The space shuttle Columbia lifts off Thursday morning Jan. 16, 2003 at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Seven astronauts, including Ilan Ramon, the first Israeli astronaut, are beginning a 16-day scientific mission. (AP Photo/Paul Kizzle)
In memory of brave explorers
- JASON HUTCHINSON
- Updated
Debris from the space shuttle Columbia streaks across the Texas sky Saturday morning, Feb. 1. 2003. Amateur photographer Jason Hutchinson made the photo in north Dallas using his Canon D-60 camera with a 400mm lens and a 1.4 extender. (AP Photo/Jason Hutchinson)
In memory of brave explorers
- JASON HUTCHINSON
- Updated
Debris from the space shuttle Columbia streaks across the Texas sky Saturday morning, Feb. 1. 2003. Amateur photographer Jason Hutchinson made the photo in north Dallas using his Canon D-60 camera with a 400mm lens and a 1.4 extender. (AP Photo/Jason Hutchinson)
In memory of brave explorers
- DAVID J. PHILLIP
- Updated
A piece of space shuttle debris sits on the ground outside Bronson, Texas, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003. Space shuttle Columbia broke apart in flames 200,000 feet over Texas on Saturday, killing all seven astronauts just minutes before they were to glide to a landing in Florida. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
In memory of brave explorers
- ASSOCIATED PRESS
- Updated
Israeli shuttle payload specialist Ilan Ramon works on a muscular system experiment on a stationary bicycle aboard the space shuttle Columbia In this image from television on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2003. NASA lost communication with space shuttle Columbia as the ship soared over Texas several minutes before landing Saturday morning Feb. 1, 2002. It wasn't immediately clear if there was a problem with the shuttle. (AP Photo/NASA TV, File)
In memory of brave explorers
- ASSOCIATED PRESS
- Updated
In this image from television on Jan 29, 2003, shuttle mission specialists Kalpana Chawla stores supplies aboard the shuttle Columbia. The six Americans and one Israeli aboard Columbia marked their 13th day in space Wednesday. Their round-the-clock laboratory research mission, featuring more than 80 experiments, is due to end with a landing back at Kennedy Space Center on Saturday, Feb.1, 2003. NASA lost communication with space shuttle Columbia as the ship soared over Texas several minutes before landing Saturday morning Feb. 1. It wasn't immediately clear if there was a problem with the shuttle. (AP Photo/NASA TV)
In memory of brave explorers
- PHIL SANDLIN
- Updated
A contrail left by the space shuttle Columbia lingers in the sky over the Kennedy Space Center as crowds watched the launch from Titusville, Fla., Thursday, Jan. 16, 2003. Columbia was over north-central Texas when mission control lost contact and tracking data, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003. (AP Photo/Phil Sandlin)
In memory of brave explorers
- Anonymous
Named by NASA Manned Spacecraft Center to be the primary crew for the first manned Apollo space flight are these astronauts in Houston, Texas on March 21, 1966. From left to right are Lt. Col. Edward H. White, II, USAF; Lt. Col. Virgil I. Grissom, USAF; and Lt. Roger B. Chaffee, USN. Grissom and White are veteran space travelers, while Chaffee will be taking his first orbital voyage. Grissom will be command pilot. (AP Photo)
In memory of brave explorers
- Anonymous
Astronaut John Bull, right, models the new Apollo pressure suit incorporating changes recommended by the NASA Apollo review board on Jan. 22, 1968. At left Astronaut Jim Irwin wears the replaced suit. Changes were made after the disastrous Apollo capsule fire which cost the lives of three astronauts. In background is a grid board used as reference during measurement and mobility tests of the suit. (AP Photo/Pool)
In memory of brave explorers
- Harold Valentine
The three Apollo 1 astronauts met their death on January 27 high on this Saturn Apollo gantry shown in Cape Kennedy, Florida on Jan. 28, 1967, when a flash fire struck inside their spacecraft as they were simulating a launch countdown. National Aeronautics and Space Administration officials escorted newsmen to the Saturn blockhouse (foreground) which is 1,000 feet from the base of the rocket. (AP Photo/Harold Valentine)
In memory of brave explorers
- Ed Kolenovsky
Astronaut Edward H. White II along with Astronauts Virgil I. Grissom and Roger B. Chaffee, the primary crew of the first manned Apollo space flight, went through the water training exercise about five miles in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Galveston, Texas on Oct. 27, 1966. Astronaut White leans out the hatch of the Apollo spacecraft as he inflates a rubber raft during emergency procedure training. (AP Photo/Ed Kolenovsky)
In memory of brave explorers
- JOE SKIPPER
A large section of debris from the space shuttle Challenger is unloaded from U.S. Coast Guard cutter Dallas near the Kennedy Space Center in Port Canaveral, Fla., late Thursday night, Jan. 31, 1986. The debris was discovered floating in the Atlantic Ocean. The Challenger exploded 73 seconds after takeoff on Jan. 28. (AP Photo/Joe Skipper)
In memory of brave explorers
- Jim Kerlin
Technicians and officials inspect the aluminum covered Apollo 1 spacecraft after it was lowered from its booster at pad 34 at Cape Kennedy, Florida on Feb. 17, 1967. Astronauts Virgil Grissom, Edward White and Roger Chaffee, lost their lives when a flash fire raced through the spacecraft on January 27. For the next several days the vehicle will be examined in detail by investigators probing to find out what caused the tragedy. (AP Photo/Jim Kerlin/Pool)
In memory of brave explorers
- Jim Kerlin
The Apollo 1 spacecraft, with black smudge marks visible on the heat shield, is lowered from its Saturn 1 booster at Cape Kennedy,Florida on Feb. 17, 1967. For the next several days, the cone shaped hulk wrecked by the blaze that killed astronauts Virgil Grissom, Edward White and Roger Chaffee will be examined in detail by investigators probing to find out that caused the tragedy. (AP Photo/Jim Kerlin/Pool)
In memory of brave explorers
- Anonymous
This is the official NASA photo of the crew of the Space Shuttle Challenger mission 51L. All seven members of the crew were killed when the shuttle exploded during launch on Jan. 28, 1986. From front left, are: astronauts Michael J. Smith, Francis R. (Dick) Scobee, and Ronald E. McNair. Rear left are: Ellison Onizuka, Christa McAuliffe, Gregory Jarvis, and Judith Resnik. (AP Photo)
In memory of brave explorers
- Anonymous
Members of the Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident walk across in front of two solid rocket boosters and the external tank being fitted in the Vehicle Assembly building at Kennedy Space Center, Jan. 28, 1986. The commission is at Kennedy Space Center following the explosion of Space Shuttle Challenge to try and determine the cause. (AP Photo)
In memory of brave explorers
- ASSOCIATED PRESS
Debris from the ill-fated Space Shuttle Challenger is unloaded by from Coast Guard cutter Dallas, Feb. 19, 1986. The explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger on January 28 killed all seven crew members. (AP Photo)
In memory of brave explorers
- Bruce Weaver
The Space Shuttle Challenger is seen as it lifts off the pad on its aborted mission in Kennedy Space Center, Florida, Jan. 28, 1986. Seen at the bottom section of the solid rocket booster, just to the right of the right wing of Challenger, a black plume of smoke can be seen. Investigators believe this is the first indication of a problem with the shuttle flight. Seven astronauts died in the ill-fated mission. (AP Photo/Bruce Weaver)
In memory of brave explorers
- BRUCE WEAVER
The Space Shuttle Challenger explodes shortly after lifting off from Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Tuesday, Jan. 28, 1986. All seven crew members died in the explosion, which was blamed on faulty o-rings in the shuttle's booster rockets. The Challenger's crew was honored with burials at Arlington National Cemetery. (AP Photo/Bruce Weaver)
In memory of brave explorers
- Anonymous
The space shuttle challenger explodes 73 seconds after takeoff on Jan. 28, 1986, at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. This picture shows the main engine exhaust, solid rocket booster plume and an expanding ball of gas from the external tank, visible seconds after the space shuttle Challenger exploded. The seven crew members perished in the explosion. One of the shuttle's booster rockets, whose faulty O-rings were blamed for the disaster, shoots off to the right. (AP Photo/NASA)
In memory of brave explorers
- Anonymous
The Space Shuttle Challenger lifts off Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, at 11:38 a.m., EST, January 28, 1986. The entire crew of seven was lost in the explosion 73 seconds into the launch. (AP Photo/NASA)
In memory of brave explorers
- STEVE HELBER
Four crew members of the Space Shuttle Challenger walk from their quarters at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., en route to the launch pad Jan. 28, 1986. Challenger exploded moments into the launch, killing all seven of the crew, including, from front: pilot Mike Smith, school teacher Christa McAuliffe, mission specialist Ellison Onizuka and payload specialist Gregory Jarvis. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
In memory of brave explorers
- Anonymous
This photo released by NASA shows STS-107 crew members in their group photo. Space Shuttle Columbia crew, left to right, front row, Rick Husband, Kalpana Chawla, William McCool, back row, David Brown, Laurel Clark, Michael Anderson and Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon are shown in this undated crew photo. NASA declared an emergency and feared the worst after losing communication with space shuttle Columbia as the ship and its seven astronauts soared over Texas several minutes before its expected landing Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003. (AP Photo/NASA)
In memory of brave explorers
- ASSOCIATED PRESS
The space shuttle Columbia, shown from the lefthand side during liftoff on Jan. 16, 2003 from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Space shuttle Columbia broke apart in flames 200,000 feet over Texas on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003 killing all seven astronauts just minutes before they were to glide to a landing in Florida. One potential focus possible damage to Columbia's protective thermal tiles on the left wing from a flying piece of debris during liftoff. The cause of the tragedy was not immediately known. An independent commission was appointed to investigate. One potential focus is possible damage to Columbia's protective thermal tiles on the left wing from a flying piece of debris during liftoff.(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
In memory of brave explorers
- PAUL KIZZLE
The space shuttle Columbia lifts off Thursday morning Jan. 16, 2003 at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Seven astronauts, including Ilan Ramon, the first Israeli astronaut, are beginning a 16-day scientific mission. (AP Photo/Paul Kizzle)
In memory of brave explorers
- JASON HUTCHINSON
Debris from the space shuttle Columbia streaks across the Texas sky Saturday morning, Feb. 1. 2003. Amateur photographer Jason Hutchinson made the photo in north Dallas using his Canon D-60 camera with a 400mm lens and a 1.4 extender. (AP Photo/Jason Hutchinson)
In memory of brave explorers
- JASON HUTCHINSON
Debris from the space shuttle Columbia streaks across the Texas sky Saturday morning, Feb. 1. 2003. Amateur photographer Jason Hutchinson made the photo in north Dallas using his Canon D-60 camera with a 400mm lens and a 1.4 extender. (AP Photo/Jason Hutchinson)
In memory of brave explorers
- DAVID J. PHILLIP
A piece of space shuttle debris sits on the ground outside Bronson, Texas, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003. Space shuttle Columbia broke apart in flames 200,000 feet over Texas on Saturday, killing all seven astronauts just minutes before they were to glide to a landing in Florida. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
In memory of brave explorers
- ASSOCIATED PRESS
Israeli shuttle payload specialist Ilan Ramon works on a muscular system experiment on a stationary bicycle aboard the space shuttle Columbia In this image from television on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2003. NASA lost communication with space shuttle Columbia as the ship soared over Texas several minutes before landing Saturday morning Feb. 1, 2002. It wasn't immediately clear if there was a problem with the shuttle. (AP Photo/NASA TV, File)
In memory of brave explorers
- ASSOCIATED PRESS
In this image from television on Jan 29, 2003, shuttle mission specialists Kalpana Chawla stores supplies aboard the shuttle Columbia. The six Americans and one Israeli aboard Columbia marked their 13th day in space Wednesday. Their round-the-clock laboratory research mission, featuring more than 80 experiments, is due to end with a landing back at Kennedy Space Center on Saturday, Feb.1, 2003. NASA lost communication with space shuttle Columbia as the ship soared over Texas several minutes before landing Saturday morning Feb. 1. It wasn't immediately clear if there was a problem with the shuttle. (AP Photo/NASA TV)
In memory of brave explorers
- PHIL SANDLIN
A contrail left by the space shuttle Columbia lingers in the sky over the Kennedy Space Center as crowds watched the launch from Titusville, Fla., Thursday, Jan. 16, 2003. Columbia was over north-central Texas when mission control lost contact and tracking data, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003. (AP Photo/Phil Sandlin)
As featured on
The U.S. space capsule Gemini 3 took off for its 5-hour mission on March 23, 1965. It was th…
More information
View this profile on Instagram#ThisIsTucson 🌵 (@this_is_tucson) • Instagram photos and videos
Most viewed stories
-
Over 40 free events happening in Tucson this December! ⛄
-
Save the date! Here's the ultimate list of Tucson holiday events 🎄
-
A large list of fun and festive events in December! 🎄❄️
-
20 gifts under $20 from Tucson shops! 🎄🎁
-
Cafe Maggie suddenly closes doors on Tucson's North Fourth Avenue
-
A giant guide to gifts made by Tucson makers and small businesses
-
17 festive holiday markets that support Tucson artisans
-
More than 40 fun events in Tucson, December 12-14! ❄️✨
-
Satisfy your pozole craving at these 9 local places!
-
Where to get your tamales this holiday season, recommended by our readers