The Burning Blue

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The untold story of a national trauma—NASA’s Challenger explosion—reveals the tragic cost of humanity's ambition to explore the stars. On January 28, 1986, NASA’s space shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after launch from Cape Canaveral, killing Christa McAuliffe, America’s “Teacher in Space,” and six other crew members. However, the narrative is more complex than it appears. Kevin Cook uncovers the hidden details behind the disastrous decision to launch on an ice-cold Florida day, revealing for the first time the agonizing moments after the fire, during which some astronauts survived. This exploration goes beyond mere correction of historical memory; it centers on McAuliffe, an ordinary civilian poised for greatness, and highlights the diverse cast of characters involved in the mission, including the second female astronaut, the second Black astronaut, and the first Asian-American and Buddhist in space. Through intimate portraits of the astronauts and their journeys to the shuttle, Cook captures the human stories often overshadowed by the tragedy. Infused with drama and immediacy, the narrative reveals the human price paid for politics and progress on that unforgettable morning, shedding light on a pivotal moment in American history.