Astral Challenger

Commissioned by the City of Lancaster as part of the Arts and Public Places program, “Astral Challenger” was created by Los Angeles-based artist Shana Mabari. The sculpture was commissioned in honor of the thirtieth anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, and was installed at the intersection of Challenger Way and Avenue L. Challenger was assembled at the Palmdale Lockheed plant and used what is now known as Challenger Way as its transportation route from Palmdale to Edwards Air Force Base. Formerly named 10th Street East, the street was renamed shortly after the disaster by the Lancaster City Council to honor the lives that were lost. The blue panels on the sculpture represent the seven lives lost, plus an additional panel for the remaining loved ones who still mourn their loss. The roundabout was opened in February, 2016, and “Astral Challenger” was installed in May.