Directed/Produced By Renee Sotile & Mary Jo Godges
Narrated by Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon
“Christa’s Song” & original music by Grammy winner Carly Simon
“A compelling and honest account of Challenger 51L’s “Teacher in Space” mission. An inspiring tribute to a true American Hero.” Buzz Aldrin
“A riveting and unusually moving story, told from the inside.” Ken Burns
“An outstanding tribute to an extraordinary woman, this is highly recommended. Editor’s Choice.” Video Librarian
“Moving documentary and tribute…serves to motivate and inspire.” Booklist
“Celebrates the extraordinary life of the first teacher in space and her legacy. Recommended for all collections.” Library Journal
CNN PRESENTS WITH PAULA ZAHN | BROADCAST OVER 20 TIMES!
In 1986, space shuttle Challenger exploded, traumatizing the nation and taking the lives of the seven-member NASA crew. Among them was Christa McAuliffe, the first Teacher in Space. Reach for the Stars is her story.
In this film, for the first time McAuliffe’s family speaks out about the impact of her death, revealing the deep private loss behind the public tragedy and how it drastically altered their lives.
Previously unseen footage and candid interviews surround the events that tore a family apart and brought a nation to tears.
"The Traipsing Thru Films effort became the most riveting ever produced on a shuttle-era astronaut. It captured to perfection McAuliffe’s delightful exuberance during training and the stark reality of her untimely death and its impact on her family." -- Rick Houston, Author
Wheels Stop: The Tragedies and Triumphs of the Space Shuttle Program, 1986-2011
a learning tool in schools across the country 🎓 TEacher's Guide
In 2005, Christa McAuliffe: Reach for the Stars, celebrating the life and legacy of Christa McAuliffe, premiered on the film festival circuit, with screenings at the prestigious High Falls Film Festival and the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
In January 2006, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Christa McAuliffe’s passing and the tragic loss of the Space Shuttle Challenger, CNN aired Christa McAuliffe: Reach for the Stars over 20 times, featuring an on-set introduction and narration by Paula Zahn.
Educators:
Grade Level: 7 -12, College (modify for grades 4-6) Subject Areas: U.S. History, Current Events, Science and Technology
Astronauts & OuterSPACE!
Space Shuttle Launch * Astronauts @BlueStar118
In the news
Today, on his birthday, we remember Challenger Mission Commander Dick Scobee. ... See MoreSee Less
Home: In-Person Programs — Christa Corrigan McAuliffe Center ... See MoreSee Less
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On March 5, 1998, NASA announced that Eileen Collins would be the first woman to command an American mission to space.
Early in her career with the US Air Force, Eileen had viewed the cosmos through a telescope from her home on a wheat field in Enid, Oklahoma.
After years of service in the skies, she would help humanity peer beyond them, by deploying the Chandra X-ray Observatory.
SPACEWOMAN lands in US theaters from March 20, 2026.
Info & tickets at www.spacewoman.film - we look forward to seeing you!
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Don't miss the final Challenger Series event, Thursday, March 5 at 5PM on Zoom 'The Challenger Disaster: Communication, Culture and Ethics'.
Speakers: Jennifer Braggin, Sr. Lecturer, The Gordon Institute, Tufts University and Amy Hirschfeld, Distinguished Sr. Lecturer, The Gordon Institute, Tufts University.
In our open discussion of the Challenger, we will highlight influencing factors that impacted the ethical decision-making process, including engineering codes of ethics, communication styles, and organizational cultures. We will use these factors to encourage the audience to explore how these decisions are made today and how the increasing integration of AI into engineering contexts will affect ethical decision making.
Registration link for the Zoom is in our bio or at zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_P3j__8hCQniOXf2rHtGtGg#/registration
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🖤 Honoring Leaders for Black History Month 🖤
“If you can imagine it, you can achieve it.”
-Ronald McNair
As we continue our Black History Month series, we’re honoring Dr. Ronald McNair, an astronaut, physicist, and passionate advocate for science education. As the second African American to travel to space, his work helped advance space exploration while inspiring future generations to pursue STEM.
Beyond his achievements at NASA, McNair was deeply committed to education, mentorship, and expanding access to opportunity. His legacy reminds us that curiosity, perseverance, and imagination can take learning, and dreams, beyond the limits of Earth.
#BlackHistoryMonth #CMASAS #EducationMatters #Trailblazer #Inspiration #EducateWithHeart #HonoringBlackHistory
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