July 11, 2007— Space Shuttle Endeavour is out on the launch pad for the first time in four years. In 2002, this Shuttle made NASA’s last successful mission before the 2003 Columbia accident that killed seven Astronauts, including the first Israeli to go into orbit. Since then, Endeavour underwent extensive modifications, including equipment that allows the spacecraft to draw power from the International Space Station when the vehicles are docked together. That allows the Shuttle to stay longer.

Endeavour’s upcoming flight includes two reminders of NASA’s first Shuttle accident, when Challenger exploded just over a minute after liftoff on January 28^th, 1986. One reminder is a member of Endeavour’s upcoming Astronaut crew, and the second is Endeavour itself.

Barbara Morgan was selected to be the back-up candidate for NASA’s Teacher-in-Space program. The winner was Christa McAuliffe, who later died in the Challenger disaster. The difference between the two women now is that McAuliffe was a Payload Specialist. She received minimal training compared to the full-time Astronauts on her crew. Payload Specialist status also meant that when Challenger’s final cloth crew patch was designed, McAuliffe’s name was included on a tab at the bottom, like an afterthought, with a little red apple for the teacher next to it. Morgan is a fully fledged Astronaut whose name appears side-by-side with her crewmates.

Space Shuttle Endeavour was the vehicle built to replace Challenger. Barbara Morgan is set for liftoff aboard Endeavour on August 7^th.