In 1986, when a January launch of the Challenger Space Shuttle ended in a fiery explosion, President Ronald Reagan remarked that the seven astronauts lost that day had "slipped the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of God." The tragedy, which played out against the backdrop of a clear blue sky, seemed unimaginable. Seventeen years later, on February 1, 2003 the unimaginable happened again as seven pioneers of space were taken from Earth when the Columbia Space Shuttle exploded 40 miles above Texas.

 

With that tremendous loss came an outpouring of grief and sorrow. This week, at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, President Bush led our nation in grieving the loss of the astronauts aboard the Columbia. He, the first lady, their families, our nation and the world gathered to pay tribute and remember the seven heroes of the Columbia crew – Colonel Rick Husband; Lt. Colonel Michael Anderson; Commander Laurel Clark; Captain David Brown; Commander William McCool; Dr. Kalpana Chawla (K.C.); and Ilan Ramon, a Colonel in the Israeli Air Force.

 

These seven heroes came from seven different places, faiths and backgrounds. They were as different from each other as the stars in the sky, but they shared a bond that only exists between explorers and adventurers. Like other heroes who serve our country, the Columbia crew understood the risks associated with their job. But those risks were underscored by the passion of men and women dedicated to serving their country. They accepted those risks and, in exchange, gave us the gift of their commitment to discovery, exploration and advancement of science.

 

As the families of the crew described it, the Columbia mission was a "pursuit of knowledge that might improve the quality of life for all mankind." And although space exploration doesn't typically receive the headlines and attention it once did, there is no doubt that the contributions of the US Space program are still enjoyed every day. Significant scientific discoveries by NASA are now incorporated into the tools we use, the foods we eat, and the biotechnology and medicines we use today. They are the ordinary, everyday things like Teflon, hand-held calculators and quartz watches that make our life more convenient. They are more extraordinary contributions, too, which both improve the quality of life and make healing possible. Those contributions include selectively lockable knee braces to assist people with weakness in their lower extremities, fiber optic forceps designed to minimize the pressure on the head of a newborn child during the delivery process, and memory metal alloys used in catheter guide wires and suture anchors. So, while the overall goal of the space program is to explore and lead the way in opening the space frontier, it's also about bringing discoveries from space to our daily lives.

 

Our astronauts have achieved this goal over and over again. The Columbia mission was no different. The Columbia blasted off carrying more than 80 scientific experiments. The crew divided up into two teams (Red and Blue) to conduct experiments in two separate 12-hour shifts which allowed them to use the shuttle as a laboratory 24 hours a day over the 16-day period. The scientific research covered areas of physics, medicine, technology and climate. Medical experiments included tracking changes in the heart and blood vessels to better understand the functions of the cardiovascular system, and examining calcium absorption in the bones to learn more about preventing osteoporosis and bone fractures. Likewise, other experiments explored ways to grow plants, use technology to improve auto engines, and adapt new technologies to help discover aromas.

 

There is no doubt that the contributions of the space program are numerous and far-reaching. That is why this tireless exploration and unending work must go on. Much like President Reagan promised one of the lost Challenger astronauts that "we will build your space station," this week, President Bush promised that "America's journey into space will go on." The families of the crew members echoed the same vow and called for the work to continue "for the benefit of our children and yours."

 

Continuing the work of the space program is how our nation can honor the work of our these seven astronauts, those that came before them (including Eighth District astronauts Linda Godwin and Tom Akers), and those we will meet in the future. We grieve today, but as a nation we must have the same focus, determination and spirit of these pioneers. They are an inspiration to us all. We must carry on their memories by continuing their mission and investing in their dreams.

 

These seven soldiers of space – Rick, Willie, Mike, K.C., Laurel, Dave, and Ilan – will never be forgotten. As President Bush said over the weekend "the same Creator who names the stars also knows the names of the seven souls we mourn today. The crew of the shuttle Columbia did not return safely to Earth; yet we can pray that all are safely home." We know their names too. They remain in our hearts, on our minds and in our prayers.