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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 3, 2003)
10 Monday, November 3, 2003 I HE BAITALIOI Teacher-astronaut carries on dream By Marcia Dunn THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Meet The Battalion Wednesday, Nov. 5 2-4 p.m. Forsyth Galleries, MSC Meet the writers, photographers, artists and editors who produce your campus newspaper. THE BATTALION SPACE CENTER, Houston — In just over a week, Barbara Morgan should have been rocket ing into orbit as NASA’s first fully trained educa tor-astronaut, carrying on the shattered dream of Christa McAuliffe. Like the space shuttle fleet, though, Morgan is grounded indefinitely. Her ship, Columbia, is gone along with seven more friends, lost in a wintry Texas sky. Yet the for mer Idaho elementary schoolteacher who was McAuliffe’s backup for the Challenger flight is detennined to persevere. NASA remains commit ted to the education-in-space program as well. In fact, NASA has gone far beyond the brief training McAuliffe and Morgan got for Challenger. Morgan is a full-fledged astronaut now, and the space agency plans to accept a few more teachers into the astronaut corps early next year. Morgan, who is helping with the teacher selec tion, insists she hasn’t had a single second thought about flying in space since the Columbia tragedy. She didn’t after the Challenger accident, either. ££ “It all goes back to what we are doing and why we are doing it, and space exploration is very, very important,” Morgan told The Associated Press. “It’s important to us as human beings and, certain ly from my point of view as a teacher, it’s crucial for our kids and for the future. In any bad situation, you figure out what you’re going to do to try to make things better and go forward.” In one of her first interviews the February disaster. It all goes back to what we are doing and why we are doing it, and space exploration is very, very important. — Barbara Morgan teacher-astronaut since Morgan talked last week about the shock and anguish she felt when Columbia broke apart over Texas. Morgan was in the shuttle training aircraft that Saturday morning, flying over the Florida touch down site, observing the landing weather and awaiting Columbia’s arrival. The next time Columbia took off, in November, she would be on board, bound for the international space station. Her excitement and anticipation swiftly disin tegrated into grief. Almost 17 years to the day of the Challenger launch explosion, she found her self once again consoling the wives, husbands, children and parents of seven dead astronauts. “It’s just like after Challenger,” said Morgan, a slender, soft-spoken woman who turns 52 later this month. “People kept asking, ’Gee, aren’t you glad it wasn't you.’ I do get that question and I get this question this time, ’Gee, that was your ship.’ “And 1 can tell you none of those thougl, went through my mind at all. I mean, all you'i? doing is thinking about the people and thefamilis and what we can do to make things better." Morgan was a close friend of them all. She till worked and trained alongside McAuliffe for tit previous half-year; if McAuliffe got sicks injured before the flight, Morgan would bi stepped in. On Feb. 1, Morgan was aboard the shutti training aircraft with chief astronaut Kei Rominger and two other crew who were inral contact with Mission Control. At first, Columbia, loss of communication did not worry her; btirf blackouts sometimes happen during re-entry. Biit as the silence stretched from seconds into minuter she feared the worst. By the time the training plane landed, Morga: knew Columbia and its crew were gone. She die n’t need to hear Mission Control declaringi'. emergency or see TV pictures of the rainir-: wreckage 1,000 miles away. Nine months later, Morgan speaks in a straw; voice to describe that day. “I don’t have a whole lottos® about it, except it was horrible,' said. "More than anything, it’srt really sad.” Back in 1985, when McAuliffeani Morgan were selected as the two K candidates for NASA’s teacher in spa program, their shuttle training Houston lasted a mere five months. When Morgan finally was invited;; join NASA in 1998, she moved ta McCall, Idaho, to Houston, and foi years of training passed before shews assigned to a space station construct mission. Her launch date was No ■ 13, 2003, aboard Columbia. Volut V While Columbia circled Earth in January wi unknown to the space agency, a deadly gashinii; left wing, Morgan joined NASA Administrate Sean O’Keefe in launching a program to recti more teachers as astronauts. The requirements; teachers of kindergartet through 12th grade w-ho have bachelor’s degree in education, engineering, math or science, ami who are U.S. citizens and have taught for at to three of the past four years. The courage it takes to enter a school wi metal detectors at the doors every day is the s; courage it takes to strap into a rocketship, aco ing to Morgan. The commitment is also the sa Sure, children ask her if she will be afraidtofly in space. She tells them she’ll be “really, really alert on the launch pad just as everybody else is. But at least for me. I made those decisions a lo#s time ago, pre- and post-Challenger.” Am about Relatic week s whatC agradi “Ch media “There negatis tural b A& Relatic confer Saturd keynot roundt will be and ur States Jing ties is what tl learn r U.S FACULTY/STAFF MEMBERSHIPS—Now has never been a better time to check out Rec Center memberships. Rec Sports makes living a healthier life even easier with bank draft options for membership and locker payments. ADULT AND PEDIATRIC CPR—Register at the Member Services Desk for next class on Nov. 13th and more that continue through the entire Fall semester. $25/$35. UNLIMITED AEROBIC PASS SALEI—Get your unlimited aerobics pass for the unbelievable price of $30! Sale is going on NOW at the Member Services Desk. Call 862- 3995 for more info or go to http://recspot1s.tamu.edu. Drive On-Texas A&M Golf Course FREE CLASS OF THE WEEK!—Cycle, step, running, jump rope, weights, abs and stretching! No choreography and easy to follow movements! Join us at the Cross Training Class TODAY and Wednesday from 7:30-8:45 p.m. FREE HEALTHY LIVING LECTURE SERIES—Personal Safety in the University Setting: Be aware of harmful situations and learn basic physical escapes. This could save your life! Join us on Nov. 5 at 5:30 p.m. in Rec rm 281. PERSONAL TRAINING—A personal trainer can be all you need to assess your fitness goals! You will receive the level of assistance that you need during your one-hour session. Call 862-3995 or go to http://recsports.tamu.edu for info. MASSAGE THERAPY—Need a soothing escape? Make your massage therapy appointment today! Call 862-3995 or go to http://recsports.tamu.edu for more info. • NEW Full Length Driving Range—Enjoy one of the Golf Course's newest additions, the full length driving range. Practice your swing or warm up before a round of 18 holes. • Fall Twilight Special—Twilight rates begin at 1:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Green fee only! • Two For Tuesdays—Bring a friend and play for the price of one. You must have a partner and price only applies to green fees. • Students:—Golf memberships are now available as a fee option. Don't forget to sign up when you register this month! Open to the public! We are located on the south side of the A&M campus. ‘ ' - TShe SPORT CLUB EVENTS, be A part of it Upcoming Events FREE Climb Technique Clinic Mt Bike Ride and Clinic Lead Climbing Clinic Rock Climbing 101 Clinic FREE Climb Technique Clinic Registration At Event Sept. 1-Nov. 4 Sept. 1-Nov. 10 Sept. 1~Nov. 19 At Event Event Dale Nov. 4 Nov, 9 Nov. 11 Nov. 19 Dec. 2 BREAK TRIPS Horsepacking Big Bend Ski Colorado Costa Rica Adventure Sept. 1-Nov. 14 Nov. 26-30 Sept. 1-Dec. 1 Jan. 11-17 Sept. 1-Dec. 12 March 14-21 Club Date Location Archery Nov. 7-9 3p.m.-12a.m. Archery Room A&M Fencing Nov. 7-9 Varies Indoor Soccer Courts M. Water Polo Nov. 7-9 8a.m.-l 0:30p.m. Rec 50 M Pool Don't miss out on the excitement that is A&M Sport Clubs! Ski Colorado Winter Break Trip Join TAMU Outdoors on a ski adventure in Rocky Mountain country and stay in a rustic and comfortable inn, complete with kerosene lamps, woodburning stove and a sauna! Backcountry skiing combines the best of both worlds of downhill skiing and cross country skiing. Visit http://rec- sports.tamu.edu for more information. New Climbing Gear for Sale NOW!—Select Climbing shoes on clearance and reduced prices on gear packages. Ummtmmmmmmmm -MAKE A SPLASH WALK OF CHAMPIONS LEAVE YOUR MARK Call the Pro Shop at 845-1723 & visit us online at http://recspor1s.tamu.edu. Program Adult Learn to Swim Polar Bear Club Registration TODAY! All semester Class Nov. 3 Cost $25/$35 FREE Aggies, buy your Walk of Champions brick for a reduced price. Visit http://recsports.tamu.edu for more information and an order form. 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