Big Bird Was Considered For The Space Shuttle Challenger
- 9 years ago
Caroll Spinney, the puppeteer behind Sesame Street’s popular Big Bird character, confirms that NASA had approached him about possibly taking the character on the doomed space shuttle Challenger.
Big Bird from Sesame Street was close to being one of the casualties of the space shuttle Challenger.
According to Caroll Spinney, the long-time puppeteer behind the costume, NASA had sent him a letter about possibly taking Big Bird on a mission with the intent of promoting space activities to kids.
Spinney claims he was ultimately not selected because the 8 foot 2 inch-high costume was deemed too big for the shuttle.
Instead, he was replaced by teacher Christa McAuliffe who was chosen for NASA’s Teacher in Space Project to join the flight.
Big Bird from Sesame Street was close to being one of the casualties of the space shuttle Challenger.
According to Caroll Spinney, the long-time puppeteer behind the costume, NASA had sent him a letter about possibly taking Big Bird on a mission with the intent of promoting space activities to kids.
Spinney claims he was ultimately not selected because the 8 foot 2 inch-high costume was deemed too big for the shuttle.
Instead, he was replaced by teacher Christa McAuliffe who was chosen for NASA’s Teacher in Space Project to join the flight.