Posts: 69
From:
Registered: Jun 2014

posted 06-30-2015 04:46 AM            

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quote:

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Originally posted by OV-105:
The only thing is, it is not Disney World. Not everything is always a happy ending.

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Exactly. I think it is commendable to tell the whole story instead of shying away from it, and showing the graphic reality of what can happen is far more engaging for the general public visiting with only a passing knowledge or interest in spaceflight.

As has already been pointed out in earlier posts, this exhibit is set-up so that you do not have to look at the debris if you do not want to. Secondly, the Challenger and Columbia families — the people with the strongest cause to be offended — not only do not have a problem with the display but actively support it. Finally, this is demonstrably not a sensationalist display to drive attendance by Delaware North. This is a long-running project spearheaded by the dead's colleagues at NASA.

Posts: 1335
From: Perth, Western Australia
Registered: Apr 2015

posted 06-30-2015 05:45 AM               

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For people who were young when Challenger and Columbia fell and future generations who want to understand the hurdles experienced throughout the space program evolution will appreciate being able to see the forever remembered display.

I was able to visit the National Air and Space Museum in April and one of the items that struck me and has left a deep memory was the sight of a CD or DVD that was on board Columbia and had been melted into a fascinating shape. This simple display uses an object we can all relate to and shows the effect of re-entry environment on every day item to give the observer an idea of what happened.

A well laid out display that reinforces the risk of spaceflight I believe is an important addition to the KSC display.

The names of the fallen astronauts on the mirror memorial should be supported by additional details of what sacrifices have been made so future space enthusiasts can reflect of what others have given.

Posts: 1250
From: Brandon, Fl
Registered: May 2012

posted 06-30-2015 06:16 AM               

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I imagine that when I see this exhibit, I will feel the same as I look at the Memorial Mirror each time I visit. I have a great deal of emotion every time I see it. I have difficulty expressing what those emotions mean, but perhaps it is respect for what the astronauts do everyday, and that what can happen to them if everything isn't perfect. To me, it really drives home how amazing they must be to do that job.

Space isn't easy, we were reminded of that again on Sunday. It doesn't always have a happy ending.

The last stop on the Then and Now tour has always driven that point home.

Posts: 47762
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 06-30-2015 06:25 AM               

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I'll admit, upon turning the corner to see the recovered pieces from Challenger and Columbia, even knowing what I was about to see, I immediately welled up and lost my breath. It was, for me, an extremely visceral experience.

How people react to "Forever Remembered" may be a factor of their age. As I paused to regain my composure, another reporter passed me who wasn't alive for Challenger and who was too young to remember Columbia. He did not have the same response as I and others did who clearly remember where they were when both vehicles and crews were lost, but he later expressed coming away from the exhibit with a greater appreciation for the events and the risks of spaceflight.

Posts: 419
From: Seneca, IL, US
Registered: Jan 2009

Posts: 47762
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

Posts: 1292
From: Rochester, NY, USA
Registered: Mar 2002

posted 07-01-2015 08:27 PM               

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Folks that pay their money to go to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex do so for many things, and it's presumptuous to infer that everyone goes for the same reason.

The history of man in space is filled with failures. Not all have loss of life attached, but those that do... whether you see the window frame of Columbia or a fragment of Challenger... will always carry with it strong emotions.

There were very strong objections to the Udvar-Hazy presenting the "Enola Gay" but it is an extremely interesting exhibit. Humans will always be tactile beings who not only want to see history, but to in some way touch it as well.

Posts: 3009
From: Titusville, FL
Registered: Feb 2005

posted 07-03-2015 03:45 PM               

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On Tuesday, my friend Andrea Farmer invited Lynn and me to view the new "Forever Remembered" exhibit inside the Atlantis hall at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. To say it is a perfect tribute is not strong enough. For those yet unfamiliar here's some background.

When the Atlantis exhibit was designed, there was a plan to set aside some space for a memorial exhibit. Even though it was yet unknown how it would be done.

In 2012, Kennedy Space Center director Bob Cabana approached NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden with the idea of this exhibit. They worked quietly to gain the approval of all 14 families, design the exhibit and oversee construction. Amazingly no one involved broke confidence.

• REMEMBER

  You enter into a carpeted hall that displays personal meaningful artifacts about each astronaut donated by their families (first photo).

  The displays ingeniously allow for the items to be exhibited without supporting structures seen (second photo).

• REFLECT

  At the end of this hall, you turn to the right and enter the gallery where the side panel of Challenger and the flight deck forward window frames of Columbia are simply yet elegantly displayed. I made an audible gasp when I turned to enter this gallery. Again, the pieces seem to float with no supporting wires or structure visible (third photo).

• RECOVER

  When you exit you enter the final gallery that displays three video screens. The first plays a loop of videos showing the crews as they walked out of the O&C Building on launch day along with letters and drawings from school children sent to NASA and the families.

  The second screen shows videos of the recovery of the crew and debris of the orbiters.

  The third plays video of Return to Flight. It was here that I got choked up.

We happened to see an old friend, Luis Berrios of NASA. Luis contributed significantly to the design of the exhibit. He shared with us how carefully they worked to honor the astronauts and pay tribute to all those who worked to recover and return to flight.

They succeeded.

Posts: 1761
From: Smithfield, Me, USA
Registered: Mar 2005

Posts: 1250
From: Brandon, Fl
Registered: May 2012

posted 01-14-2017 08:27 AM               

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I have now visited this display several times over the last one and half years. When I first saw the debris and personal artifacts, it hit me hard, very emotional.

But now, when I return, I feel more like I am saying hi to an old friend who has passed on and while sad, I feel a bit more happy that I can remember them. And others are remembering them as well.

Posts: 374
From: Maryland
Registered: May 2010

posted 08-23-2017 05:57 AM               

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Went back to KSC and saw the "Forever Remembered" exhibit and it was unbelievable to see the actual remains from both Challenger and Columbia.

I wish other museums, i.e. the California Science Center, the National Air and Space Museum's Udvar Hazy Center (annex to IAD), the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, and Space Center Houston would do the same.

Posts: 1618
From: Gardner, KS
Registered: Feb 2003

Posts: 47762
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 08-23-2017 11:33 AM               

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The National Air and Space Museum, in its Moving Beyond Earth gallery, has a flag recovered from Challenger and a CD recovered from Columbia.

NASA, in consultation with the families, made the decision to limit the display of the orbiters' remnants to Kennedy Space Center.