The dramatic accident of the space shuttle Challenger reminded us all of the dangers of space exploration, but who will remember the names of the crew? In 1967, astronauts Grissom, White and Chaffee burned to death in Apollo 1, and a silver medal remains as their only memorial.
Only a few martyrs of science became famous, and they must speak for the many unknown. Let us recall them briefly.
And how many scientific explorers never returned home? Mungo Park explored the Niger and died in Africa in 1806, and Dr. Leichardt searched for the overland route across Australia but never returned from his journey in 1848. By the beginning of the present century, arctic and antarctic exploration started in earnest, and among the many who paid with their lives were Captain Robert Falcon Scott and his companions on their return from the South Pole in 1911. In his last message ...
