For the families of the seven, we cannot bear, as you do, the full impact of this tragedy. but we feel the loss, and we’re thinking about you so very much. your loved ones were daring and brave, and they had that special grace, that special spirit that says, ’give me a challenge, and i’ll meet it with joy." they had a hunger to explore the universe and discover its truths. they wished to serve, and they did. they served all of us. —address on the space shuttle challenger, ronald reagan addressing the families of the astronauts is mainly an appeal to .