On January 28, 1986, a tragic event unfolded in the history of space exploration that would leave an indelible mark on the lives of millions, including a young boy in Roy, Utah. Dave Reynolds was just a second grader at Lakeview Elementary when his teacher rolled a television into the classroom to witness what was supposed to be a groundbreaking moment: the launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger, which included the first teacher in space, Christa McAuliffe. Excitement filled the air as students anticipated the historic flight, a symbol of educational aspirations and scientific achievement. However, that excitement quickly turned to horror as the shuttle exploded just 73 seconds after liftoff, killing all seven crew members on board. “We all kind of sat in silence as the rocket lifted off and tragically exploded,” Reynolds recalled. “The teachers knew what was going on, but as 8-year-olds, we really... we knew something had happened that was tragic because of the way they were behaving, but we didn’t quite understand and be able to grasp it.” The disaster claimed the lives of Commander Francis Scobee, Pilot Michael Smith, and astronauts Judith Resnik, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Gregory Jarvis, and McAuliffe. This incident became one of the most defining moments in the history of NASA and significantly influenced the trajectory of Reynolds’ life. “If I had to trace that back to a singular point, it was the launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger,” he said. “Something in me changed that day, and I thought: ‘This is what I want to do.’” Motivated by the tragedy, Reynolds wrote to Morton Thiokol, the Utah-based company responsible for the shuttle’s booster rockets. To his surprise, a few weeks later, he received a package filled with materials about the Challenger and its crew, including a motivational poster given to employees as they worked to redesign the boosters. “I just found it so moving that I clung onto that poster like it was made out of gold,” Reynolds said. This poster became a symbol of his aspirations, accompanying him through his educational journey and into his early career in rocketry. Reynolds leveraged this motivation to pursue a career at NASA. “The second [opportunity] opened up, I jumped on it and ended up working on the Space Shuttle program,” he recounted. His efforts bore fruit as he supported 22 shuttle flights throughout his career. The final shuttle mission launched in 2008, marking the end of one era but not the conclusion of Reynolds’ involvement in space exploration. Today, he serves as the SLS Booster Program Manager at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, where he oversees the boosters for the Artemis mission, which aims to return humans to the Moon for the first time since 1972. “As a program manager, it’s my role to accept the risks that go along with that, but I’m not going to accept a risk that I don’t think is fully managed,” Reynolds explained. Safety is paramount in this new chapter of space exploration, particularly given the lessons learned from the Challenger disaster. Reynolds emphasized that safety improvements stemmed directly from the Challenger incident. The original joint design permitted flexing during flight, which posed a risk if the O-rings became too cold, allowing hot gases to escape. “After the Challenger, one thing that they realized was that as the rocket flies, it flexes,” he noted. Engineers improved the design by adding a capture feature to mitigate flexing and incorporating extra O-rings to enhance safety. Notably, many components of the Space Launch System (SLS) that are currently being used were repurposed from the Space Shuttle program, showcasing a continuity of engineering that links past lessons to present endeavors. Recently, NASA rolled out the Artemis 2 rocket to the launch pad, setting the stage for what promises to be a historic return to the Moon. “We practice, practice, practice, and ultimately, when the day comes, we’ll push the button and we’ll let this thing go,” Reynolds said, reflecting on the meticulous preparations involved in the upcoming mission. For Reynolds, the journey from that tragic day in his childhood to his current leadership role within NASA represents both a personal achievement and a tribute to those lost in the Challenger disaster. “I want to keep this as a reminder to myself that mistakes aren’t acceptable,” he stated, acknowledging the sacrifices made by the Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia crews over the years. In a message aimed at the next generation, he said, “I think I just want to talk to the 8-year-old that’s out there. Because somewhere, I guarantee there is an 8-year-old that is about to watch this launch. And 8-year-old, if you feel a drive to explore, you never know where you can end up.” As Reynolds prepares for the Artemis mission, he carries with him the weight of history and the hope for future generations. The legacy of the Challenger crew continues to inspire not just him, but countless others who look to the stars, driven by dreams of exploration and discovery.