NASA Hard Hat KSC "Scobee"
This is the Kennedy Space Center launch pad hard hat ( NOT shuttle flight hardware) of historic value. NASA Astronaut, Richard Skobee, the Commander of the STS-51 Challenger mission. His crew, Pilot, Michael Smith, school teacher, Sharon Christa McCauliffe, NASA Astronaut, Judy Resnik, Ellison Onizuka, Gregory Jarvis, Ronald McNair. Scobee used it to inspect the Challenger on various occasions during his visits to KSC. Astronaut Ellison Onizuka was my friend and gave this hat and his personal hat to me. I did not ask for them. I cannot explain why he did. He knew that I had the highest respect for all astronauts and was also a friend of Astronaut Judy Resnik.
On January 28, 1986, I was involved in the shuttle launch. As the Challenger lifted off from pad 39, I watched it gaining speed as I heard the order "Go for throttle up !". Soon thereafter the Challenger exploded and I witnessed my seven friends die before my eyes. I have cherished this hat from my friend, but I am getting older and want it to be in the hands of someone that will recognize its value as an important piece of our space program history
