Hundreds gather to commemorate Challenger 30th anniversary

Hundreds gathered in Colorado Springs to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Challenger space shuttle explosion.

The Challenger Learning Center of Colorado hosted Thursday night’s event.

Astronaut Gary Payton was at the event. He said he knew one of the seven people on board the Challenger, astronaut Elison Onizuka.

“There was some management problems that caused Challenger, plus engineering problems,” Payton said. “And this was a personal loss for my wife and me because we knew Elison and his family so closely.”

Proceeds from Thursday’s event goes to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education.