Katharina Buczek
And Christa was totally on board. She rushed to the post office on the last day of the deadline and sent off her application. Then, she patiently waited.
According to the Associated Press, Christa recalled her wonder of watching the first satellite launch and shared her hopes to take part in the next era of space exploration.
“I was caught up with their wonder. I cannot join the space program and restart my life as an astronaut, but I watched the Space Age being born, and I would like to participate,” Christa wrote in her application.
She also went on to detail how her own launch would be turned into an immersive learning experience for her students.
In fact, Christa intended to record two live video lessons while inside the space shuttle that would be transmitted and broadcast on television around the country.
This innovative plan blew the judges away, and she was ultimately selected as a finalist for the project. Then, during her last interview for the spot, Christa sealed the deal with her closing statement.
“I have always been concerned that ordinary people have not been given their place in history. I would like to humanize the Space Age by giving the perspective of a non-astronaut,” she began.
“Space is the future. As teachers, we prepare the students for the future. We have to include it– space is for everyone.”
Christa Was Named The First Private Citizen Passenger In The History Of Space Flight
The following year, in July of 1985, Vice President George H.W. Bush formally announced Christa as the selected educator for the Teacher In Space Project. She described herself as being “at a loss for words” in her acceptance speech.
But then, Christa quickly gathered herself and launched into an intense training period just weeks later.
