🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1993Jan28.010055.1691@ringer.cs.utsa.edu>, 
sbooth@lonestar.utsa.edu (Simon E. Booth) writes:
 
> Just a reminder- 7 years ago today- 11:38am EST....
> So, where were you when the Challenger disaster took place?
> It was during my sophomore of high school, and I was in English class
> when they told us.
> No tribute of any sort was allowed, nor could we openly talk about it
> without some sort of negative reaction from administrators.
> I remember it well, I even got in 'trouble' for this.
> Pro-space exploration views were not welcome.
> At least now things have improved.

I was at work in the service department of Bill Utter Ford in Denton TX
(working my way thru my undergrad physics degree).  Joel Petty (another
mechanic) and I listened to the launch on his radio while we worked.  I
recall hearing the comment, "...looks like a major malfunction..." and
feeling the same way I would if I saw flashing lights in my rear view
mirror -- a gut wrenching fear.

After another minute or so the word started to circulate that "the shuttle
blew up".  The owner called all employees up to the showroom where we
watched the TV and waited for further results.  After ~45 minutes we knew
the worst was confirmed and went back to work somewhat dazed.

-Bill Gawne,  Space Telescope Science Institute