 One year later, 1985, New Hampshire school teacher Krista McAuliffe was chosen to be the first teacher to ride aboard the space shuttle. McAuliffe became a member of the ill-fated Challenger crew, which exploded shortly after liftoff in 1986, killing all seven on board. Birthday is today. Actor Anthony Edwards turns 62. Most widely known for his role as Dr. Mark Green on the first eight seasons of ER, for which he received a Golden Globe Award and six Screen Actors Guild Awards.