(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: In what appears to be a major catastrophe in America's space program, Challenger, only seconds after leaving the launchpad, according to NASA, has exploded in midair. No word yet on if there are any survivors. SIMON: That was from CNN on January 28, 1986. All seven members of a truly diverse and interesting crew of human beings died, including the first and only member of NASA's Teacher in Space Project. Kevin Cook's new book considers the glittering lives cut short in what turned out to be a fatal error to launch on a freezing-cold Florida morning. His book, "The Burning Blue" - Kevin Cook joins us now from Northampton, Mass. Thanks so much for being with us.