NASA puts Challenger and Columbia wreckage on display

They were moments that shocked and saddened the world: In 1986, when the space shuttle Challenger exploded less than two minutes after lifting off, and in 2003, when Columbia disintegrated upon re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere.

And now, for the first time ever, the remnants of those space shuttles are on public display.

A piece from each shuttle, carefully selected from amongst thousands, accompanies memorials to the 14 astronauts who perished in each disaster. This is all part of a new—and permanent—2000-square-foot exhibit in the Kennedy Space Center, known as “Forever Remembered”. While some may worry the exhibit does not properly honor the fallen astronauts, NASA worked hard over many years to ensure their dignity.

“Great pains were taken not to have anything sensationalized or exploited,” explained Michael Ciannilli, a shuttle engineer and test director who was in charge of creating the exhibit. To that point, not a single image of the shuttles disintegrating is found within. Instead, the focus is shifted to how the astronauts lived.

Personal items from many of the astronauts were donated by family members, like Columbia commander Rick Husband’s cowboy boots and Bible. Other families abstained—such as the family of Christa McAuliffe. McAuliffe was a New Hampshire schoolteacher who had won a national competition to become the first teacher in space. Thousands of students watched the tragedy unfold on live television.

Her display case instead features a NASA “Teach in Space” patch and a block of her very own words: “I touch the future. I teach.”

As for the pieces of the shuttles, designer Ciannilli put careful thought into what was selected.

“I was hoping to find something that would show the beauty of Challenger, the dignity of Challenger, the strength of Challenger, and these are words I don’t use lightly,” he said.

These feelings were embodied by one piece in particular: a battered 12-foot section of the fuselage bearing the American flag. For Columbia, he selected the charred cockpit window frames and suspended them in midair. He says it’s like gazing into the eyes of Columbia—and thus its soul.

(Image credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett)