"I can remember in early elementary school when the Russians launched the first satellite. There was still so much unknown about space. People thought Mars was probably populated"

In this quote, Christa McAuliffe assesses her youth memories of the very first satellite launch by the Russians. She recalls the excitement and question that surrounded this event, as it marked a significant milestone in space exploration. At the time, there was still a great deal of mystery surrounding area and its possibilities. Many people believed that Mars, among the closest worlds to Earth, might potentially be lived in by other forms of life. This reveals the interest and imagination of people during that time, as they excitedly waited for brand-new discoveries and improvements in space technology. McAuliffe's words highlight the impact that this event had on forming her interest and passion for area exploration.