CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Two science teachers who have spent the past five years under NASA’s tutelage are about to graduate with high-flying honors.
The space-shuttle flight Wednesday night of Joseph Acaba and Richard Arnold II will mark the first time two one-time teachers have rocketed into space together. During Discovery’s two- week mission to the international space station, each will attempt multiple spacewalks — the most dangerous job in orbit.
NASA didn’t pair the two space rookies — Joe and Ricky to their friends — because they were teachers. Each had skills that were deemed essential for this flight, which will deliver and install a final set of solar wings for the space station.
Acaba was a freshman at the University of California at Santa Barbara when teacher Christa McAuliffe died as space shuttle Challenger exploded Jan. 28, 1986. Arnold was fresh out of college and living in Washington, and his wife-to- be was a student teacher.
“It definitely had an impact when you look at the sacrifices that she (McAuliffe) made and the importance that NASA put on it,” Acaba said. When his time came, “it really made you feel like you were doing something worthwhile.”
