Photo: NASA
WASHINGTON D.C. – The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is set to honor the memory of astronauts who sacrificed their lives in the pursuit of space exploration and discovery.
The agency’s annual Day of Remembrance, which is traditionally observed on the fourth Thursday of January, will this year fall on Jan. 25. The solemn event will pay homage to the crews of Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia.
Ahead of the Remembrance Day, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, and Associate Administrator Jim Free will host a town hall at NASA’s headquarters in Washington. Scheduled for Jan. 23, the town hall aims to engage employees in a dialogue about NASA’s enduring commitment to safety as the cornerstone of mission success. This significant event will be broadcast live on NASA Television, NASA+ streaming service, and the agency’s website.
“Our annual Day of Remembrance is a time to honor the sacrifice of the NASA family who lost their lives in the pursuit of discovery,” Nelson stated in anticipation of the event. “It is a solemn day, yet we are forever grateful to our fallen heroes for sharing their spirit of exploration with NASA, our country, and the world. We embrace NASA’s core value of safety each day as we continue to expand our reach in the cosmos for the benefit of all humanity.”
On Jan. 25, an observance will take place at Arlington National Cemetery, led by Nelson, Melroy, and Free. The ceremony will commence with a traditional wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, followed by tributes to the Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia crews.
NASA centers nationwide will also host observances for the Day of Remembrance:
- Johnson Space Center in Houston will have a commemoration including a moment of silence, a NASA T-38 flyover, and a tree dedication for former astronaut Karol Bobko.
- Kennedy Space Center in Florida will collaborate with The Astronauts Memorial Foundation for a ceremony at the Space Mirror Memorial, live-streamed on various social media platforms.
- Ames Research Center in California, Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, and Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, will each host their remembrance ceremonies, featuring moments of silence, wreath placements, and reflective speeches.
- Stennis Space Flight Center in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, plans a wreath-laying ceremony with remarks from center officials.
In addition to these ceremonies, NASA will pay tribute to its fallen astronauts with special online content, which will be updated on the Day of Remembrance at https://www.nasa.gov.
As NASA prepares for this day of reflection, the agency reaffirms its commitment to the principles of safety and discovery, honoring those who have fallen while renewing its dedication to exploring the unknown for the benefit of humanity. The Day of Remembrance serves not only to remember the past but also to inspire future generations in the relentless pursuit of space exploration.
