Nasa Space Shuttle Speech

On January 28, 1986, NASA Space Shuttle orbiter Challenger exploded just seconds after its liftoff killing all seven passengers on board. In the time of mourning following the horrific space shuttle disaster, President Ronald Reagan delivered a speech that offered condolences to the families of the victims from both him and the rest of the country. Reagan, first, was on live television to give a report on the State of the Union, but he found it necessary to acknowledge the tragedy that had just taken place. President Reagan’s strong use of pathos, tone, and diction allows him to effectively portray his purpose in remembering the astronauts and to encourage future space exploration. At this point in time, popularity in space exploration was at its peak. Any news dealing with current or future plans of going to space was being broadcast live for the world to see. The Challenger Space Shuttle was a new project NASA was attempting. They were sending a teacher into space and allowing her to present a school lesson while in space. “Because this was the ‘Teacher in Space’ flight, hundreds of thousands of school children were watching as the shuttle exploded (Stuckey).” This horrific scene for
The President had to comfort NASA, the astronauts’ families, and all of those that watched (Stuckey). Also, he had to reassure the country about the significance of space exploration and they had to persevere as a country (Stuckey). Reagan begins his speech by recognizing that this was a day for mourning and remembering (American). He fills his introduction with pathos as he describes in words the emotions of the country. “Today is a day for mourning and remembering (American).” He describes the event as a loss for the nation and states the nation has never faced a tragedy like it (American). As the speech continues, President Reagan goes on to condole the families of the victims admitting that no one can understand how they must