Ronald McNair

Ronald Erwin McNair (October 21, 1950 – January 28, 1986) was an American NASA astronaut and physicist. His first space mission was STS-41-B aboard Space Shuttle Challenger in 1984. After this mission, he was again on Challenger for STS-51-L. He died at the start of this mission when the space shuttle was destroyed during the launch. He was the second African American in space.

McNair was born in Lake City, South Carolina. He earned degrees at North Carolina A&T State University (B.S.) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Ph.D.). He also held four honorary doctorates and many fellowships. He was married to Cheryl Moore. The couple had two children.

On January 28, 1986, Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart 73 seconds after launch. McNair and all six others aboard died.

References

Other websites

 Ronald McNair NASA biography

Category:1950 births
Category:1986 deaths
Category:Accidental deaths in Florida
Category:African-American people
Category:Academics from California
Category:American astronauts
Category:American physicists
Category:Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni
Category:NASA
Category:Scientists from South Carolina