In commemoration of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of space exploration and discovery, NASA will host its annual Day of Remembrance on Thursday, January 25th. This solemn event, traditionally observed on the fourth Thursday of January each year, is dedicated to honoring the memories of the brave astronauts who gave their lives, including the crew of Apollo 1, as well as the crews Space Shuttle Challenger and Columbia missions that ended in disaster.
The Apollo 1 tragedy occurred on January 27, 1967, when a cabin fire during a pre-flight test resulted in the deaths of astronauts Virgil "Gus" Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee. This catastrophic event led to significant design and engineering changes in the Apollo program, ultimately enhancing crew safety for future missions.
On January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart 73 seconds after liftoff, claiming the lives of all seven crew members: Francis R. Scobee, Michael J. Smith, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Judith Resnik, Gregory Jarvis, and Christa McAuliffe, the first teacher in space. This disaster brought forth major changes in the management and operation of the U.S. space program.
The Space Shuttle Columbia disaster occurred on February 1, 2003, when the orbiter disintegrated upon re-entry into Earth's atmosphere, leading to the loss of all seven crew members: Rick D. Husband, William C. McCool, Michael P. Anderson, Ilan Ramon, Kalpana Chawla, David M. Brown, and Laurel B. Clark. The investigation into this tragedy resulted in a renewed focus on shuttle safety and eventual retirement of the Space Shuttle fleet.
To mark this year's Day of Remembrance, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, and Associate Administrator Jim Free will host a town hall at the agency's headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, January 23, at Noon CST. During this event, they will engage in a dialogue with employees, emphasizing the critical importance of safety as the foundation of NASA's mission success. The town hall will be broadcast live on NASA+ streaming service, NASA Television, and the agency's website, where viewers can learn how to access NASA TV across various platforms, including social media.
On January 25, Nelson, Melroy, and Free will lead a memorial service at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. The ceremony, commencing at Noon CST, will begin with a traditional wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, followed by tributes to the crews of the Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia missions.
“Our annual Day of Remembrance is a time to honor the sacrifice of those in the NASA family who lost their lives in the noble pursuit of discovery,” said Nelson. “While it is a day of reflection, we are eternally grateful for the spirit of exploration our fallen heroes imparted to NASA, our nation, and the world. Today, and every day, we uphold NASA’s core value of safety, as we continue to extend our reach into the cosmos for the betterment of humanity.”
In addition to the central observance, NASA centers nationwide will hold their own remembrance events. Nelson will also address all NASA employees with a special agencywide message, underscoring the ongoing commitment to safety and the enduring legacy of those we honor.