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President Ronald Reagan Address to the Nation on the Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster

The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster was an accident that occurred in January 1986 in the space program in the United States. The Space Shuttle collapsed after 73 seconds of taking off killing all seven individuals aboard including Christa McAuliffe, Michael Smith, Judith Resnik, Dick Scobee, Ellison Onizuka, Ronald McNair, and Gregory Jarvis. In his speech, President Ronald Reagan provided consolation to the American people and those who knew the astronauts in various ways. He mentioned that enough he cannot bear the full of impact of the tragedy as much as the families did, he consoled them that the state was thinking about them very much. Additionally, in his speech, he referred to the astronauts as daring and brave individuals with special grace. Reagan referred to the members of the crew as pioneers who served everybody. President Reagan further encouraged the citizens by saying that the US space program is something he has great respect for and faith in and that the accident that took place was nothing to diminish it. He noted that at the Program, things and secrets are not things that are covered up but instead, they are taken up front and in public because that is the way freedom is and he would not change it for a minute.

To everyone who has dreams relating to the space program particularly the schoolchildren of America, President Reagan encouraged them by saying that although it might be hard for them to understand and that at times painful things are bound to happen in the journey of discovery and exploration. He said that it was all part of taking chances and expanding man’s horizon. He added that the future does not belong to the faint-hearted but rather the brave. He noted that the Challenger had a dream of pulling us into the future and that we would follow in their footsteps. He continued with a call to action that the Program would continue with their quests in space and that there would be more shuttle crews, more flights, volunteers, civilians, and teachers in space. President Reagan uses language to convey his condolences to the family of the Challenger seven (7) astronauts who lost their lives in the incident. He employs careful selection of words and a sympathetic tone to console the US citizens. He uses a personalized approach to address NASA employees which makes them feel appreciated. He tells them “Your dedication and professionalism have moved and impressed us for decades. And we know of your anguish. We share it.” This language evokes feelings of appreciation, gratitude, and empathy.