Space center to mark anniversary of Challenger disaster

DOWNEY - The Columbia Memorial Space Center will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster when it hosts Dr. Carl McNair, brother of lost astronaut Ronald McNair, on Jan. 25.McNair's visit will cap a daylong remembrance, beginning with a 9 a.m. event at McNair Elementary School in Compton. The grade school, at 1450 W. El Segundo Blvd., was the first public school named in Ronald McNair's memory. Carl McNair will be at the school where he is expected to be joined by local politicians and Air Force officials to mark the disaster that took place Jan. 28, 1986 when the space shuttle broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean, off the central coast of Florida. All seven space shuttle crew members died. Following the event in Compton, McNair will be at the Columbia Memorial Space Center at 5 p.m. Copies of his book, "In the Spirit of Ronald E. McNair, Astronaut -- An American Hero," will be available for purchase and signing. Both events in Compton and Downey are free to attend and open to the public.

********** Published: January 13, 2011 - Volume 9 - Issue 39