Christa McAuliffe

Description

(1948-1986) Teacher, astronaut. McAuliffe was selected from more than 11,000 applicants to participate in the NASA a??Teacher in Space Projecta??, and she was scheduled to become the first teacher in space. As a member of mission STS-51-L, she was planning to conduct experiments and teach two lessons from Space Shuttle Challenger. On January 28, 1986, her spacecraft disintegrated 73 seconds after launch, and she was one of seven crew members killed. 6a?? x 8 A?a?? autograph letter signed, a??Love, Christa,a?? September 7 (no year but likely 1985), to a??Dona?? (Don LeBrun, who was a friend and colleague of McAuliffea??s at Concord High School in New Hampshire). a??a??Please convey my thanks to the C.E.A. for the lovely gold bracelet…I feel very strongly about remaining an active member this year, even though I will not be in the classroom. Ita??s so important that teachers unify and draw from each others strengths. Thanks againa??Ia??m off tomorrow for Houstona??.a?? ALS signed a??Christa,a?? one page, 6 x 8.5, September 7. Accompanied by a letter of provenance from LeBrun. A scarce and highly desirable letter concerning her educational career as she prepared to become the first teacher in space.