The Central Coast Astronomical Society is very pleased to offer this web page as our tribute to the two wonderful crews of Space Shuttles' Challenger (STS-51-L) and Columbia (STS-107), both lost in tragic accidents as they courageously ventured forth into space.  The loss of both seven-person crews, Challenger on January 28, 1986, and Columbia on February 1, 2003, was devastating to America's pride and belief in the future of mankind's valiant and dangerous efforts in space exploration.

We will never forget these 14 astronauts, America's finest men and women, who risked their lives for the advancement of our understanding of the cosmos in which tiny Earth resides.  The CCAS wishes to recognize their dreams, ambition, energy, vision and bravery of life among the stars.  They have been, and always will be, a powerful inspiration and motivation for our nation.  We wish them "God Speed" for all of eternity and sincerely hope that our nation strongly rededicates itself to pushing the envelope in its quest to reach into our solar system, into our Milky Way Galaxy and the vast Universe beyond. To truly "Go Where No One Has Gone Before".

The moving poem "High Flight", located further down this page, appropriately honors our lost space explorers.

The poem High Flight, presented below, was written by a young fighter pilot during World War II.  Pilot Officer John Gillespie Magee Jr., was an American citizen who was born of missionary parents in Shanghai and educated in Britain's famed Rugby School.  He went to the United Stated in 1939, and at the age of 18, won a scholarship to Yale.  Like other Americans of the time who wished to aid in the cause of freedom, he decided to enlist in the services of a nation actively engaged in war.  Magee enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in September 1940.  He served overseas with an RCAF Spitfire Squadron until his death on active service in December, 1941.

His poem, composed in September 1941, was scribbled on the back of a letter which he mailed to his mother in Washington.  Pilot Officer Magee was killed a few months later when his Spitfire plane collided with a bomber-pilot trainer on approach to the airport over Lincolnshire, England. He was 19 years old.