Ronald Reagan Challenger Address Rhetorical Analysis Essay

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Riley Sackett Irving Eng 1021 28 Feb 2023 Ronald Reagan Challenger Shuttle Address Rhetorical Analysis 2.5 million students witnessed the tragedy of the Challenger space shuttle explosion. Following the explosion, United States president Ronald Reagan delivered his Address to the Nation on the Explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger speech. Reagan speaks to the people of the United States, with a goal not of informing, but to comfort, to give respects, and to reassure. President Reagan provides information about the incident, and pays respect by giving uplifting statements about the astronauts. He also dives into why he remains in faith in the space program, and why the American people should too. Reagan’s speech, providing sympathy in response …show more content…

Earlier in the day, on the 28th of January, 1986, the Challenger space shuttle had been launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida. This particular shuttle launch especially mattered to the American people, as one of the members aboard was an elementary school teacher, who was to be the first ever teacher in space. Millions of Americans tuned in to watch the launch, including millions of children, watching from their schools. The speech Reagan delivered was intended for the entirety of America, as so many people, of all ages, had witnessed the devastating event. Reagan’s words comforted and inspired America, and restored faith in NASA and the space …show more content…

Later in his speech, Reagan addresses future plans of the space program, and expresses that although the events that had occurred were tragic, it would not be a setback in vain. “We'll continue our quest in space. There will be more shuttle flights and more shuttle crews and, yes, more volunteers, more civilians, more teachers in space. Nothing ends here; our hopes and our journeys continue” (Reagan). In saying this, Reagan is informing his audience that the space program would continue to operate and push the boundaries of technology. He informs the audience of plans of the future, and reassures that although failure occurred, it was not means to stop trying. He inspires hope and trust into the space program, ensuring that the things he mentions would be accomplished, specifically stating “Nothing ends here; our hopes and our journeys continue” (Reagan). Reagan aimed to prove the perseverance of the space program and of the American