Wichita ? Artisans are creating a stained-glass remembrance of the victims of space disasters that incorporates shuttle tiles from the Challenger and Columbia missions and concrete from the Apollo 1 launch pad.

The 8-by-11-foot creation is about a year away from installation at the entrance of the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson, which is home to one of the world’s most significant collections of American and Russian space artifacts. Rayer’s Bearden Stained Glass in Wichita is creating the piece to commemorate astronauts who died in the Apollo 1, Challenger and Columbia missions.

The piece will depict an astronaut in a spacesuit with arms outstretched and an American flag in the background. When finished, Kansas wheat will lie at the astronaut’s feet, while above are flying rockets, stars and worlds yet to be discovered.

It takes its name from Kansas’ motto, “Ad Astra per Aspera,” which means “To the stars through difficulties.”

“I’m anxious to see it. I’m excited to have it,” said Jeff Ollenburger, the center’s president and chief executive.

Ollenburger said the placement of the piece at the entrance of the museum is significant.

“Visitors — right before they go in the museum and learn about the history of space exploration — will walk beneath this memorial which is all about those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to make that story possible.”

Randy Rayer, chief executive of Rayer’s, said he will be proud to have the artwork featured there.

“It’s something that every one of us who are involved in it want to show their children and grandchildren.”

More than two-thirds of the cost of the window has been absorbed by the stained glass company. Employees volunteered much of their own time to research and design the artwork, Rayer said.

“We’re getting to be part of history. This piece, when completed, will be here for a long time,” he said.