Astronaut Barbara Morgan shares story

When the space shuttle Challenger exploded Jan. 28, 1986, 73 seconds after liftoff from Cape Canavaral, Florida, all seven crew members were killed, including Christa McAuliff. She was chosen as NASA’s teacher in space. McAuliff’s backup was Barbara Morgan who was watching from the ground. Morgan was a teacher in McCall.

Friday she spoke at the Idaho Falls’ City Club annual event sharing her story with an interactive presentation.

Morgan later went on the Endeavor mission in 2007. She worked on the International Space Station and even taught a few classes from space to her students.

She said being a woman in space was rare in the ’80s, but nowadays, more women are going into space travel.

“I had just graduated high school when Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon, but it never occurred to me that it’s something I could ever be a part of. It was a man’s world,” said Morgan.

Morgan is a big supporter of STEM programs, she said they help young boys and girls learn about those fields and encourage them to possibly consider space travel.

Morgan lives in Boise and travels around the country often sharing her story.