2016-05-09 Mon

A special bill has been introduced by New Hampshire's U.S. senators for issuing a commemorative coin to observe the 30th anniversary of the space shuttle Challenger disaster and to honour Christa McAuliffe, the first teacher in space.

The money generated through the sale of these coins will be donated to support FIRST programs founded by inventor Dean Kamen. These programs inspire young scientists, technology experts, engineers and mathematicians to follow their passion.

McAuliffe was a high school social studies teacher in Concord who along with six other astronauts died when the shuttle broke apart 73 seconds after liftoff on 28th January, 1986. She encouraged youngsters to follow their dreams and officials say that this coin release would be an ideal way to pay tribute to an inspiring personality like her.

Astronauts Mike Smith, Dick Scobee, Ron McNair and (L-R, rear row) Ellison Onizuka, school teacher Christa McAuliffe, Greg Jarvis, and Judith Resnik were a part of the crew of the Challenger space shuttle.