By Linda Herridge
NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space Center
NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida paid tribute to the crew members of Apollo 1, space shuttles Challenger and Columbia, as well as other astronauts who have perished in the line of duty, during NASA’s annual Day of Remembrance on Jan. 27. A limited number of guests attended the ceremony live at the Center for Space Education at Kennedy’s Visitor Complex to honor those astronauts who have fallen in the pursuit of space exploration. The center’s employees and the general public viewed the event as it was streamed live on Facebook.
“Each year we come together, not only to remember the lives and legacies of the men and the women who made the ultimate sacrifice in the quest to expand science for the sake of humanity, but to recommit ourselves to ensuring the safety of those who will continue to keep the dream of spaceflight alive,” said Kelvin Manning, Kennedy’s deputy director.
Thad Altman, president and CEO of the Astronauts Memorial Foundation (AMF), welcomed guests and noted that this year marks the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 1 tragedy.
On Jan. 27, 1967, NASA astronauts Lt. Col. Virgil “Gus” Grissom, Lt. Col. Edward H. White, and Roger B. Chaffee perished when a flash fire occurred in the Apollo command module during a launch pad test at Launch Pad 34-A. Grissom was a veteran of Mercury and Gemini missions. White performed the first U.S. spacewalk during the Gemini program. Chaffee was preparing for his first space flight.
Lowell Grissom, brother of Gus Grissom, shared a few memories: “There was no particular concern that day because the spacecraft wasn’t fueled. But it happened. Within seconds, all three astronauts perished. Apollo 1 has taught us we can never fail if we learn from the lessons of tragedies like this. I think they would be pleased that the exploration of space has continued.”
Immediately following the ceremony, Lowell Grissom, Sheryl Chaffee, daughter of Apollo 1 astronaut Roger Chaffee, and Kathie Scobee Fulgham, daughter of Challenger Commander Francis R. Scobee, placed a memorial wreath in front of an on-screen image of all the fallen astronauts. They were accompanied by Manning and Altman.
“As we rise to the challenges of today’s era in space flight – returning to the Moon and sending humans deeper into space than ever before – we salute the pioneers who have gone before us, and we stand fully committed to the safety of those who pick up the torch and continue for the benefit of humanity,” Manning said.
This year’s ceremony was hosted by the Astronaut Memorial Foundation, which was founded after the space shuttle Challenger accident in 1986 to honor the sacrifices of fallen astronauts each year, as well as inspire future generations through hands-on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics learning activities.
The foundation also built and maintains the Space Mirror Memorial, a 42-foot-high by 50-foot-wide granite monument at the Visitor’s Complex that displays the names of the fallen astronauts from Apollo 1, space shuttles Challenger and Columbia, as well as others who lost their lives while on NASA missions or in training. In 1991, the memorial was dedicated as a national memorial by Congress and President George H.W. Bush.
View a replay of the ceremony on Facebook.