The Teacher in Space Program began as an extension of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Space Flight Participation Program, which was designed to open space shuttle flight opportunities to a broader segment of private citizens. In August 1984 President Ronald Reagan announced that a teacher would be chosen as the first private citizen to fly into space aboard a space shuttle. During the application period (from December 1, 1984, to February 1, 1985) more than 11,000 teachers applied.

Teachers Christa McAuliffe (left) and Barbara Morgan during a break in shuttle simulator training in 1985.

By June 1985, NASA had chosen 114 semifinalists to be the first teacher in space. This selection included two teachers from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the territories and trusts of the United States. These candidates attended a workshop and orientation program in Washington, D.C., in June...