The Challenger Disaster: A Teacher's Legacy Lives On Listen Download Embed Share Share this on Facebook (Opens in a new window) Share this on Twitter (Opens in a new window) Share this via Email January 13, 1986: Christa McAuliffe received a preview of microgravity during a special flight aboard NASA's KC-135 zero gravity aircraft, which provides short periods of weightlessness. ( Science & Society Picture Library / Getty ) Produced by Oliver Lazarus Produced by PRI and WNYC