An Historic Autograph Letter Signed. One page, quarto, n.p., dated January 14 (no year, but 1986) on The United States of America letterhead. A haunting letter from the Concord, NH, schoolteacher on the eve of the ill-fated launch of the Challenger. Reads in part: "…I’m delighted that you are interested in the space program. I'm excited about my upcoming flight this January and I hope to share the lessons with many viewers like yourself. I do hope you all [sic] having a wonderful school year… Sincerely, S. Christa McAuliffe". Schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe was selected as the primary candidate for the NASA Teacher in Space Project (TISP) on July 19, 1985, from over 11,000 teacher applicants from the United States. Vice President George Bush announced that Christa was NASA's unanimous choice to be the first teacher in space. McAuliffe's voyage on the Challenger mission was to include live lessons to school children sent across the U.S. via satellite. Project "Classroom Earth" was to include two lessons by McAuliffe, "the ultimate field trip" and "Where we've been, where we're going and why". Her goal as the first teacher in space was to "humanize the Space age by giving a perspective from a non-astronaut". McAuliffe began teaching in 1970. She taught American History and English to 7th and 8th graders, as well as economics, law, American history and social studies to high school students in Concord, New Hampshire. Unfortunately, her highly publicized mission ended in tragedy when the U.S. space shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after liftoff from the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Fl., on Jan. 28, 1986. McAuliffe and all six other crew members were killed. Unquestionably, one of the great disasters of the century. In fine condition. Hused in an archival frame with the Challenger crew photograph and official NASA Challenger patch. $4,950. (#10412)