This panel discussion focuses on the Challenger disaster that happened on January 28, 1986, when an explosion 73 seconds into the space shuttle’s flight led to the destruction of that craft, and the deaths of all crew members, including one science teacher, Christa McAuliffe, who was there as part of the Teacher in Space Project. This event had long-reaching consequences for the nation, family members of the astronauts on board, as well as the space program. Our esteemed panelists will discuss these implications and the importance of this event within the context of NASA’s history and space exploration in general.