NASA's Day of Remembrance 2026
Guests gather to commemorate NASA’s Day of Remembrance on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. The annual event honors the crews of Apollo 1 and space shuttles Challenger and Columbia, as well as other astronauts who lost their lives in the pursuit of spaceflight. Marking the 40th anniversary of the Challenger tragedy, NASA Kennedy and the Astronauts Memorial Foundation, which was founded after the shuttle Challenger accident in 1986 to honor the sacrifices of fallen astronauts, hosted this year’s ceremony.
Astronauts Memorial Foundation president and CEO Thad Altman (center) stands as the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard presents colors during NASA’s Day of Remembrance ceremony on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. The crews of Apollo 1 and space shuttles Challenger and Columbia, as well as other fallen astronauts who lost their lives in the name of space exploration and discovery, were honored by Kennedy employees and guests at the annual memorial event. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Challenger tragedy.
Alison Smith Balch, daughter of NASA astronaut Michael J. Smith, pilot of Challenger STS 51-L, speaks during NASA’s Day of Remembrance on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. The annual event commemorates the crews of Apollo 1 and the space shuttles Challenger and Columbia. Marking the 40th anniversary of the Challenger tragedy, NASA Kennedy and the Astronauts Memorial Foundation, founded after the shuttle Challenger accident in 1986 to honor the sacrifices of fallen astronauts, hosted this year’s ceremony.
Former Kennedy Space Center director, Bob Cabana, speaks to Jane Smith-Wolcott, widow of Challenger pilot Michael Smith during NASA’s Day of Remembrance ceremony at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. The annual event commemorates the crews of Apollo 1 and the space shuttles Challenger and Columbia. Marking the 40th anniversary of the Challenger tragedy, NASA Kennedy and the Astronauts Memorial Foundation, founded after the shuttle Challenger accident in 1986 to honor the sacrifices of fallen astronauts, hosted this year’s ceremony.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns as part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women that lost their lives in the quest for space exploration.
NASA leadership and guests are seen during a moment of silence led by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman as part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women that lost their lives in the quest for space exploration.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, right, greets former NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, left, following a wreath laying ceremony as part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women that lost their lives in the quest for space exploration.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, left, speaks with, second from left to right, former NASA Administrators Bill Nelson, Charles Bolden, and Sean O'Keefe following a wreath laying ceremony as part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women that lost their lives in the quest for space exploration.
On our Day of Remembrance, we pause to honor all members of the NASA family that have perished in the pursuit of exploration, including the crews of Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia. On Jan. 22, 2026, we pause to honor their memory and reflect on the importance of maintaining a strong safety culture. Here are images from ceremonies at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida and at Arlington National Cemetery.
Image Credits: NASA/Keegan Barber/Kim Shiflett
Date: Jan. 22, 2026
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