Memorials

Space Shuttle Challenger Memorial

On January 28, 1986, Space Shuttle Challenger exploded just 73 seconds after takeoff, killing all seven crew members — including high school teacher Christa McAuliffe, who had been selected from among more than 11,000 applicants to become the first teacher in space. It took nearly two months to recover the remains from the ocean floor, about 18 miles off the shore of Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Space Shuttle Columbia Memorial

On February 1, 2003, Space Shuttle Columbia was headed home after a 16-day scientific mission, its 28th venture into space. As Columbia re-entered Earth's atmosphere, it suddenly burst into flames, killing all seven crew members: Richard "Rick" Husband, commander; William C. McCool, pilot; Michael P. Anderson, payload commander; David M. Brown, mission specialist; Kalpana Chawla, mission specialist; Laurel Blair Salton Clark, mission specialist; and Ilan Ramon, mission specialist.

Apollo 1 Monument

The Apollo 1 Monument commemorates the crew of the first Apollo mission. Command Pilot Virgil “Gus” Grissom, Senior Pilot Edward H. White II and Pilot Roger B. Chaffee died on January 27, 1967, when a fire swept through the command module during a pre-launch test.

NASA graves of interest at Arlington National Cemetery

National Memorial Day Observance

The 2023 National Memorial Day Observance will be held at ANC on May 29. Click "read more" for details. 

Published on: Monday, May 8, 2023 read more ...