posted 07-24-2004 06:15 AM            

Challenger Crew Honored with Congressional Space Medal of Honor

The families of the Space Shuttle Challenger's crew today (July 24) accepted the Congressional Space Medal of Honor from NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe. The honors, presented in the name of Congress and on behalf of President George W. Bush, were made during a private ceremony with the families of the seven astronauts in Washington.

"The Challenger tragedy was a defining moment in American history and demonstrated that achieving great things often comes with great sacrifice. We honor the bravery and dedication of the crew and their families with a renewed commitment to the causes to which they devoted their lives — exploration and discovery," said Administrator O'Keefe. "Not a single day goes by that the entire NASA family doesn't think about the incredible spirit of these brave explorers. We will never forget our fallen astronaut heroes and their courageous families."

The Space Shuttle Challenger's crew of seven astronauts died in the explosion of their spacecraft during the launch of STS-51-L on January 28, 1986, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The explosion occurred 73 seconds into the flight, as a result of a leak in one of two Solid Rocket Boosters that ignited the main liquid fuel tank.

Above: Presidential Science Advisor Dr. John Marburger and NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe are joined by STS-51L crew family members, including Christa McAuliffe's mother Grace Corrigan, Jane Smith Wolcott, June Scobee Rodgers, Cheryl McNair and Charles Resnik.

The STS-51-L crew included Commander Francis R. (Dick) Scobee, Pilot Michael J. Smith, Mission Specialists Judith A. Resnik, Ronald E. McNair and Ellison S. Onizuka, Payload Specialist Gregory B. Jarvis and Sharon Christa McAuliffe, the first teacher to fly in space.

The Congressional Space Medal of Honor was authorized by Congress in 1969 to recognize "any astronaut who in the performance of his duties has distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious efforts and contributions to the welfare of the Nation and mankind."

Astronauts who have been honored with the Congressional Space Medal include John Young, Jim Lovell, Virgil "Gus" Grissom, Shannon Lucid, William Shepherd and Senator John Glenn. In all, a total of 27 astronauts have now been honored.

Apollo 11 Commander Neil Armstrong received the very first Congressional Space Medal of Honor in 1978 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

posted 07-24-2004 12:48 PM               

• Neil Armstrong
  
• Frank Borman
  
• Charles "Pete" Conrad
  
• John Glenn
  
• Virgil "Gus" Grissom
  
• Alan Shepard
  
• John Young
  
• Thomas Stafford
  
• James Lovell
  
• Shannon Lucid
  
• Roger Chaffee
  
• Edward White

posted 01-30-2023 04:38 PM               

Former NASA Astronauts to Receive Congressional Space Medal of Honor

Vice President Kamala Harris will award former NASA astronauts Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken the Congressional Space Medal of Honor at 4:15 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Jan. 31. Hurley and Behnken will receive the award for bravery in NASA's SpaceX Demonstration Mission-2 (Demo-2) to the International Space Station in 2020.

The ceremony will air on NASA Television, the agency's website, and the NASA app, as well as the agency's flagship Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube channels.

On May 30, 2020, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the company's Crew Dragon spacecraft launched to the space station, marking the first mission to launch with astronauts as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program.

posted 01-30-2023 09:33 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Larry McGlynn:
I wonder why Bruce McCandless did not receive the SMOH?

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posted 01-30-2023 09:55 PM               

For example, Gus Grissom was honored for commanding the Apollo 1 crew, not his flights on Mercury or Gemini, and Pete Conrad was awarded for leading the first Skylab crew, not walking on the moon. For whatever reason, there was an intent by Congress to honor the commanders only.

posted 01-31-2023 04:46 PM               

SpaceX crewmates Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken awarded Space Medal of Honor

The first NASA astronauts to launch on board a commercial spacecraft have been presented with the United States' highest honor reserved for spaceflight veterans.

Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken, who flew on the first crewed demonstration flight of SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft in 2020, received the Congressional Space Medal of Honor from Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday (Jan. 31). Authorized by Congress in 1969, the medal is presented to astronauts who are recommended by the NASA Administrator.