Ronald McNair facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ronald McNair
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McNair, c. early 1980s
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| Born | October 21, 1950 Lake City, South Carolina, U.S.
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| Status | Killed during mission |
| Died | January 28, 1986 (aged 35) Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Physicist |
| Awards |  |
| Space career | |
| NASA astronaut | |
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Time in space
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7d 23h 15m |
| Selection | 1978 NASA Group |
| Missions | STS-41-B, STS-51-L |
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Mission insignia
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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.
Images for kids
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First three African-American astronauts to go to space, including McNair, Guy Bluford and Fred Gregory from the class of 1978 selection of astronauts.
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Challenger crew: (front row) Michael J. Smith, Dick Scobee, Ronald McNair; (back row) Ellison Onizuka, Christa McAuliffe, Gregory Jarvis, Judith Resnik
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Astronaut candidates Ron McNair, Guy Bluford, and Fred Gregory wearing Apollo spacesuits, May 1978
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Dr. Ronald E. McNair memorial in his hometown, Lake City, South Carolina
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Ronald McNair Park in Brooklyn, New York City
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