Their Spirits Circle the Earth (The Challenger Memorial)
- bronze, granite
- 43 x 8 x 42 in
- James T. Mason
On January 28, 1986, the nation was shocked as the Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart 73 second into its flight. The disaster impacted the nation as all 7 crew members on board perished. Tens of thousands of schoolchildren were also watching the launch live in their classrooms as part of NASA’s “Teacher in Space Program”. High School teacher Christa McAuliffe was a member of the crew. That evening, President Reagan cancelled his planned State of the Union address and instead directly addressed the nation about the disaster.
“Their Spirits Circle the Earth” is a memorial crafted by artist James T. Mason, the same artist who designed the Topiary Park landscaping sculpture “A Sunday Afternoon on the Isle of La Grande Jatte”.
The plaque at the base (no longer there) read:
Francis R. Scobee, Flight Commander
Michael J. Smith
Ronald E. McNair
Ellison S. Onizuka
Judith A. Resnik
Gregory B. Jarvis
Sharon Christa McAuliffe
They Accepted the Challenge
In memory of the courage and pioneering spirit of the seven astronauts who perished aboard the challenger on Jan. 28, 1986. Designed and dedicated by the children of Columbus
Mayor Dana G. Rinehart
Jan. 28, 1987"
A brass ball sits atop a rising granite arc with inscriptions on both sides. Encircling the ball is an arrow depicted in relief. Bronze plaque in front lists names of Challenger astronauts. One side of the granite piece is engraved with the title of the piece, the opposite side is engraved with the name of the sponsor. Sits on a low, rectangular concrete base.
- Created: 1987
- Current Location: Battle Park (google map)
- Collections: Memorials, Outdoor