RESPONSE TO SPACE SHUTTLE COLUMBIA TRAGEDY FROM SANDI HICKS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CHALLENGER SPACE CENTER, PEORIA, ARIZONA

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers of the Challenger Space Center in Peoria, I would like to express our profound sorrow on the tragic loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia. Space travel has always been known to be a dangerous venture, and all of us owe a great debt of gratitude to the brave explorers that we know as astronauts. The true definition of courage is knowing the dangers involved, assessing the risks, and believing in the benefits of the mission enough to go forward. The Columbia astronauts certainly knew the risk, yet chose to go forward on behalf of all of us. Thank you, and God speed to all of them.”

RESPONSE FROM LT. COL RICH SCOBEE, USAF RESERVES, SON OF CHALLENGER COMMANDER COLONEL DICK SCOBEE, AND VICE PRESIDENT OF THE CHALLENGER SPACE CENTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS

“Seventeen years ago, my family and I experienced a tragic loss that was highly personal, but shard by the world. Today, I share the grief that the nation is feeling. My thoughts immediately go to the families of the Commander and Crew Members of the Columbia.

I’ve walked a mile in these shoes; the families will need to deal with grief in their own way. All we can do is give them the time and the understanding they need. Family, friends, NASA and the Astronaut corps will be a source of great strength for them. For my family and our country, we will also go through the grieving process in our own way.

Exploration has inherent risks.

In the days to come, let us remember and celebrate the seven brave men and women of Columbia who accepted these risks and launched themselves into space carrying the hopes and dreams of the world with them.

These seven special people affected many by the way they lived. I hope our focus can be placed on their smiling faces as they accomplished their mission in orbit and not on the haunting imagery of the tragedy today.”