Beyonce is under fire over the use of an audio sample from the space shuttle Challenger disaster in her new song, "XO."
The track begins with a six-second audio clip of NASA's now-retired public affairs officer, Steve Nesbitt, from 1986 saying: "Flight controllers here looking very carefully at the situation. Obviously a major malfunction," after Challenger broke apart 73 seconds following its launch from the Kennedy Space Center.
The music of the song proper immediately follows, but many of those who watched Challenger break apart on live television on Jan. 28, 1986, said the use of audio from the tragedy in a pop song was inappropriate and tasteless.
Dr. June Scobee Rodgers, the widow of Challenger Commander Dick Scobee and founding chairwoman of the Challenger Center for Space Science Education, released the following statement Monday in response to Beyonce's song:
We were disappointed to learn that an audio clip from the day we lost our heroic Challenger crew was used in the song 'XO.' The moment included in this song is an emotionally difficult one for the Challenger families, colleagues and friends.
We have always chosen to focus not on how our loved ones were lost, but rather on how they lived and how their legacy lives on today. Their dedication to education and exploration resulted in the creation of Challenger Center for Space Science Education and because of this we have been able to educate millions of students across America and beyond.
We hope everyone remembers the crew for the inspirational legacy they left in the hearts of so many.
Beyonce also released a statement Monday morning to ABC News, explaining the use of the audio clip in the song:
My heart goes out to the families of those lost in the Challenger disaster. The song 'XO' was recorded with the sincerest intention to help heal those who have lost loved ones and to remind us that unexpected things happen, so love and appreciate every minute that you have with those who mean the most to you.
The songwriters included the audio in tribute to the unselfish work of the Challenger crew with hope that they will never be forgotten.
The Challenger disaster killed all seven astronauts on board the space shuttle, including Christa McAuliffe, the first teacher selected to head to space.
"XO" is one of Beyonce's newest songs from her self-titled album, which saw a surprise release on iTunes earlier in December. Ryan Tedder, who produced the single, said he only knew of its release 90 minutes before it dropped.