Mr. Holstad, on a Tuesday morning in January of 1986, remembers like millions of others. The seemingly perfect NASA was trusted by everyone to safely transport 7 Americans to space and back. But within a minute of lifting off, the space craft’s now known flaw had caused an explosion. All seven of the crew had died.

            There was extensive media coverage of the catastrophe. Millions of people all over the world were shocked to see the first deaths in NASA history. With 10,000 people in attendance, a massive tribute was held for the fallen astronauts. President Reagan, on national Television, paid his own respect to the seven astronauts.