Teacher in Space Cookbook: Compiled by the Teacher In Space National Finalists, the “Class of 51L”, United Space Shuttle Challenger Mission scheduled for launch, January 22, 1986 and other parties interested in Space Education.

MCAULIFFE, Christa; Nancy Reagan.

Item Number: 103520

Waseca, Minnesota: Walter's Publishing Company, 1986.

First edition Teacher in Space cookbook, issued prior to the January 28, 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger tragedy. Octavo, original wrappers spiral bound, frontispiece portrait of Sharon Christa McAuliffe, illustrated with color photographs. Inscribed on the verso of the front panel by editor Bonnie Fakes, “Bon Appetit! Bonnie Fakes” and Robin Kline, “My Love and Gratitude Robin Kline.” President Ronald Reagan announced his search for a “teacher passenger” for a shuttle mission on August 27, 1984. Of the thousands of teachers that applied, Bonnie Fakes was the official finalist from Tennessee and Kline the official finalist from Arizona. The spot was ultimately rewarded to Sharon Christa McAuliffe of New Hampshire who died tragically in the 1986 Challenger disaster. Fakes put together the Teacher in Space cookbook in an effort to have all state finalists contribute a recipe in celebration of their achievement. The cookbook includes two recipes by McAuliffe in addition to recipes by First Lady Nancy Reagan, astronaut James Garn and Challenger Commander Dick Scobee. In fine condition. Scarce and desirable. OCLC locates only three other copies at LOC, Virginia Tech and Ohio State University. Uncommon signed.

On August 27, 1984 President Ronald Reagan announced, "Today I am directing NASA to begin a search in all of our elementary and secondary schools to choose the first citizen passenger in the history of our space program, one of America's finest -- a teacher. When the shuttle lifts off, all of America will be reminded of the crucial roles teachers and education play in the life of our nation." More than 11,000 teachers applied to the NASA in Space Teacher Project and the position was awarded to Christa McAuliffe, a high school studies teacher from Concord, New Hampshire. On January 28, 1986, the NASA Space Shuttle orbiter undertaking mission STS-51-L and the tenth flight of Space Shuttle Challenger launched and tragically broke apart 73 seconds into its flight, killing all seven crew members: five NASA astronauts, one payload specialist, and McAuliffe. Approximately 17 percent of the American population witnessed the launch on live television broadcast and the Challenger disaster has been used as a case study in many discussions of engineering safety and workplace ethics.