In honor of our fallen U.S. astronauts, AMF implements innovative space-related technology training programs for educators nationwide; built and maintains the Space Mirror Memorial.

Roger Chaffee was born February 15, 1935, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Roger received a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from Purdue University. Chaffee and his wife, Martha Horn Chaffee, have two children, Sheryl and Stephen.

Lieutenant Commander Chaffee was among the third group of pilots to be selected by NASA in 1963 to become astronauts. After rigorous training, he was selected to be one of the pilots for Apollo 1.

When a flash fire consumed their spacecraft during a countdown simulation in preparation for the scheduled launch of their Saturn/Apollo mission, Roger Chaffee chose to remain strapped into his couch, attempting to transmit emergency messages while fire raged mercilessly throughout the Apollo spacecraft.

Roger Chaffee made the ultimate sacrifice and lost his life in service to the nation and the space program on January 27, 1967, at 31 years of age. His widow, Martha, serves on the Board of Directors of the Astronauts Memorial Foundation.