Dick Scobee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dick Scobee
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Scobee in 1984
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Francis Richard Scobee
May 19, 1939 Cle Elum, Washington, U.S.
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| Died | January 28, 1986 (aged 46) North Atlantic Ocean
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| Resting place | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Alma mater | University of Arizona (BS) |
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| Space career | |
| NASA astronaut | |
| Rank | Lieutenant colonel, USAF |
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Time in space
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6d 23h 40m |
| Selection | 1978 NASA Group 8 |
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Mission insignia
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Francis Richard Scobee (born May 19, 1939 – died January 28, 1986) was an American pilot, engineer, and astronaut. He was the commander of the Space Shuttle Challenger. Sadly, the Challenger was lost during its launch in 1986 on the STS-51-L mission.
He earned a degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Arizona in 1965. Before becoming an astronaut, he was a mechanic and a pilot in the United States Air Force. He flew combat missions during the Vietnam War.
NASA chose Scobee to be an astronaut in January 1978. He finished his training in August 1979. Before his first space mission, he taught pilots how to fly the Shuttle's special 747 carrier aircraft. In April 1984, he piloted the Challenger on mission STS-41-C. This mission successfully put one satellite into orbit and fixed another.
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Early Life and Education
Scobee was born on May 19, 1939, in Cle Elum, Washington. His parents were Francis William and Edlynn Scobee. He went to Washington Elementary School and Cascade Jr. High School. He graduated from Auburn Senior High School in 1957.
Serving in the Air Force
Scobee joined the United States Air Force in 1957. He worked as a mechanic at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. While serving, he also went to San Antonio College. He later earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Arizona in 1965.
In 1965, he became an officer. He then went to flight school and earned his pilot wings in 1966. He served as a combat pilot in the Vietnam War. For his bravery, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal.
After his time in Vietnam, Scobee attended the USAF Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base in California. He graduated in 1972 and became an Air Force test pilot. He flew many different aircraft, including the Boeing 747 and the F-111 Aardvark.
The Challenger Mission
Scobee was chosen to command the STS-51-L mission on the Space Shuttle Challenger. He had previously flown the Challenger as a pilot on the STS-41-C mission. The STS-51-L mission had important goals. It was supposed to launch a satellite to study Halley's Comet. It also aimed to start the Teacher in Space Project, carrying a teacher into space.
The launch was delayed several times because of bad weather and technical problems. When the mission finally lifted off, a part of the solid rocket booster failed. This caused the shuttle to break apart just 73 seconds into the flight. All seven crew members, including Scobee, were lost. This disaster was seen live on national television. It led to a period of national sadness and big changes at NASA.
Scobee was a lieutenant colonel at the time of the disaster. His last recorded words were "Roger, go at throttle up," confirming a message from mission control. The shuttle broke up at an altitude of about 48,000 feet (14.6 km).
Scobee's Family
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Francis Richard Scobee's parents were Francis and Edlynn Scobee. He married Virginia June Kent, who is now known as June Scobee Rodgers. They had two children: Kathie R. Scobee Fulgham and Richard W. Scobee. Richard Scobee later became a Lieutenant general in the Air Force. Francis Richard Scobee is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
His son, Richard, graduated from the United States Air Force Academy. He became an F-16 pilot for the USAF. He has commanded several Air Force units. He also led the military flyover at Super Bowl XXX in 1996. This was on the 10th anniversary of the Challenger disaster.
Awards and Tributes
Many places and honors remember Richard Scobee. On July 9, 1994, the San Antonio College Planetarium was renamed The Scobee Planetarium. In 2004, Scobee was given the Congressional Space Medal of Honor. He was also added to the Astronaut Hall of Fame.
After the Challenger disaster, many schools, streets, and buildings were named after him. Dick Scobee Elementary School in Auburn, Washington, was named in his honor. The Auburn Municipal Airport became Dick Scobee Field. There is also a model aircraft facility called Dick Scobee Memorial Airfield in Houston, Texas.
Scobee Road in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, along with streets named for Ronald McNair and Christa McAuliffe, honor the Challenger crew. Richard Scobee was played by Barry Bostwick in the 1990 TV movie Challenger. He also appeared in the 1985 IMAX documentary The Dream is Alive. This film was shot during his STS-41C mission.
Images for kids
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STS-41-C mission patch
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STS-51-L mission patch
See also
In Spanish: Francis Scobee para niños
