In the year nineteen-eighty-six, January twenty-eight was a day bright and clear,
A rocket stood poised in the launch bay, the space shuttle Challenger drew near.
With seven brave souls aboard her hull, their mission held great promise to see,
The first teacher among them, so eager to touch outer space’s vast mystery.
The countdown commenced with anticipation, each second bringing them closer to fate,
The engines ignited, the shuttle ascended, and a nation watched their heroes take flight.
Yet seventy-three seconds into their journey, tragedy struck without warning or care,
And Challenger’ a name that once spoke of hope, was now forever etched in our hearts as despair.
The explosion that tore through the skies, sending debris and smoke like an omen of doom,
Brought the nation to its knees in grief, as the realization of loss loomed.
Seven lives, dreams, and families shattered, left us wondering what could have been done,
As we mourned their sacrifice for exploration, a reminder that progress comes with a cost, not won.
We honored the crew’s unwavering courage, and pledged to carry on in their stead,
To reach for the stars, push boundaries wide, and learn more about what lies ahead.
The Space Shuttle Challenger may have been lost, but her legacy lived on forevermore,
Inspiring generations of astronauts to come, and fueling our unending thirst to explore.
From the ashes rose a beacon of hope, a commitment to never forget that day,
To learn from every mistake made, making each future mission a safer way.
Safety protocols were reviewed, engineers’ skills were honed with passion and care,
Determination grew stronger than ever before, pushing the boundaries of space exploration furthermore.
The astronauts who perished on that fateful day, would never be forgotten in our hearts,
Their names etched in stone, their spirit alive forever more, as we reach for the stars.
Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Christa McAuliffe, Judith Resnik, Michael Smith and Gregory Jarvis,
Along with Dick Scobee, their mission commander, a true testament to courage and valor in action.
The Space Shuttle Challenger left an indelible mark on history, a reminder of our human endeavor,
To touch the stars, unravel mysteries beyond our world, and bring knowledge that will forever serve us.
A symbol of unity, strength, and perseverance, she showed the world what we can achieve together,
And though her fate was tragic, her spirit lives on in every journey to space forever and ever.
McMike's Melodic Verses 