Phaethon is a symphonic poem by the American composer Christopher Rouse. The work was commissioned in celebration of the United States Bicentennial by the Philadelphia Orchestra with contributions from Johnson &amp; Higgins. It was completed on February 22, 1986 and was given its world premiere at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia by the Philadelphia Orchestra under the direction of Riccardo Muti on January 8, 1987. It is dedicated in memory of the crew of the Space Shuttle "Challenger", which broke apart on the morning of January 28, 1986 while Rouse was composing the piece. Since its premiere, "Phaethon" has become one of Rouse's most popular orchestral compositions.