Ronald McNair facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids Ronald McNair
McNair in 1985
Born	Ronald Erwin McNair (1950-10-21)October 21, 1950 Lake City, South Carolina, U.S.
Died	January 28, 1986(1986-01-28) (aged 35) North Atlantic Ocean
Awards	Congressional Space Medal of Honor
Space career
NASA astronaut
Time in space	7d 23h 15m
Selection	NASA Group 8 (1978)
Missions	STS-41-B STS-51-L
Mission insignia


Scientific career
Thesis	Energy Absorption and Vibrational Heating in Molecules Following Intense Laser Excitation (1977)
Doctoral advisor	Michael Stephen Feld

Ronald Erwin McNair (October 21, 1950 – January 28, 1986) was an amazing American NASA astronaut and physicist. He was one of the seven brave crew members who tragically passed away during the launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger. This happened on mission STS-51-L when he was 35 years old.

Before this mission, McNair had already flown into space. He served as a mission specialist on STS-41-B aboard the Challenger from February 3 to 11, 1984. This made him the second African-American person to travel to space.

Who Was Ronald McNair?
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Who Was Ronald McNair?

Ronald Erwin McNair was born in Lake City, South Carolina, on October 21, 1950. His father, Carl C. McNair, was an auto repairman, and his mother, Pearl, was a high school teacher. Ronald grew up with his older brother, Carl S., and younger brother, Eric.

Early Life and Big Dreams

Ronald's family faced many challenges when he was young. Their home did not have electricity or running water. Later, they moved to a slightly better house, but it still had problems. His older brother once wrote about how they used "pots and pans to catch the water dripping through the roof" when it rained. Despite these difficulties, Ronald was a brilliant and determined student.

A Brave Stand at the Library

In the summer of 1959, when Ronald was just nine years old, he showed incredible courage. He went to the Lake City Public Library, which was segregated at the time. This meant that people of different races were kept apart. Ronald refused to leave without being able to check out his books. The police and his mother were called. After a discussion, Ronald was allowed to borrow books from the library. Today, the building that once housed that library is named after him.

Ronald attended Lake City Elementary School and Carver High School. He was an excellent student and graduated as the top student, or valedictorian, in 1967.

Becoming a Scientist and Martial Artist

In 1971, McNair earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. He graduated with "magna cum laude" honors, which means "with great distinction." He studied under Professor Donald Edwards, who helped create the physics program at the university.

In 1976, he received his PhD degree in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He became famous for his work in laser physics, which is the study of how lasers work. That same year, McNair also won a gold medal in karate. He went on to win five regional championships and earned a fifth-degree black belt in karate.

McNair received many special awards and recognitions throughout his life. He worked as a physicist at the Hughes Research Lab in California. He was also a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, a college organization.

Journey to Become an Astronaut

McNair in the 1980s

In 1978, NASA chose McNair to be an astronaut. He was one of only 35 people selected from 10,000 applicants! He was also part of a special effort by NASA to include more minority and female astronauts. Actress Nichelle Nichols, who played Uhura on Star Trek, helped recruit him and others.

McNair's first space mission was on STS-41-B aboard the Challenger. He flew as a mission specialist from February 3 to 11, 1984. On this flight, he made history by becoming the second African American to travel into space.

The Challenger Mission and Its Legacy

After his first successful mission, McNair was chosen for the STS-51-L mission. He was one of three mission specialists in a crew of seven. The mission launched on January 28, 1986. Sadly, 73 seconds after liftoff, the Challenger spacecraft broke apart high above the Atlantic Ocean. Ronald McNair and all six other crew members tragically lost their lives.

Ronald McNair was first laid to rest in Lake City, South Carolina. In 2004, his remains were moved to the Ronald E. McNair Memorial Park, which is also in Lake City and named in his honor.

Music Among the Stars

McNair plays the saxophone aboard Space Shuttle Mission 41-B.

Ronald McNair was not only a brilliant scientist but also a talented saxophonist and a big fan of jazz music.

Before his last space mission, McNair was working on a special project. He collaborated with French composer Jean-Michel Jarre for Jarre's album, Rendez-Vous. The plan was for McNair to record his saxophone solo while orbiting Earth on the Challenger. This would have been the first original piece of music ever recorded in space!

However, the recording never happened due to the tragic end of the mission. The final song on Jarre's album, "Last Rendez-Vous," is subtitled "Ron's Piece." Jarre included a dedication in the album notes, honoring his friend, the astronaut and artist Ron McNair.

Honoring a Hero: Ronald McNair's Legacy

A memorial statue of Dr. Ronald E. McNair in his hometown, Lake City, South Carolina.

Ronald McNair Park in Brooklyn, New York City.

SouthCentralPoliceStationRonaldMcNairHoustonTX

The Ronald E. McNair South Central Police Station in Houston, Texas.

Ronald McNair was honored with the Congressional Space Medal of Honor in 2004. This award was given to all crew members who were lost in the Challenger and Columbia disasters.

Many places, programs, and even a crater on the Moon have been named in his honor:

The McNair crater on the Moon is named after him.
The McNair Building at MIT, his former university, is named in his honor.
The McNair Science Center at Francis Marion University in South Carolina.
The McNair Center for Aerospace Innovation and Research at the University of South Carolina.
Ronald McNair Boulevard in Lake City, South Carolina, is named after him.
The U.S. Department of Education offers the TRIO Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program. This program helps students from low-income families or underrepresented groups pursue doctorate degrees.
On January 29, 2011, the Lake City, South Carolina library was dedicated as the Ronald McNair Life History Center. This is the same library where he bravely stood up for his right to borrow books as a child.

Schools and Programs Named After McNair

Many schools across the United States are named after Ronald McNair, inspiring young students:

McNair Elementary School in Compton, California.
Ronald McNair Elementary School in Germantown, Maryland.
PS 5, Dr. Ronald McNair School in Brooklyn, New York City.
Ronald McNair Middle School in Rockledge, Florida.
Ronald E. McNair Middle School in Lake City, South Carolina, which was his former high school.
Ronald E. McNair High School in Stockton, California.
Dr. Ronald E. McNair Academic High School in Jersey City, New Jersey.
The Engineering building at North Carolina A&T State University is named in his honor. The university celebrates McNair Day every year.
The federally-funded McNair Scholars/Achievement Programs help students prepare for graduate studies. Many universities, like Michigan State University and Washington State University, participate in these programs.

Family Life

Ronald McNair was married to Cheryl McNair, and they had two children together. Cheryl is one of the founding directors of the Challenger Center. This organization helps educate children about space science.

Images for kids

Dr. Ronald E. McNair's tomb in his hometown, Lake City, South Carolina.
Astronaut candidates Ron McNair, Guy Bluford, and Fred Gregory wearing Apollo spacesuits, May 1978.
The first three African-American astronauts to go to space: McNair, Guy Bluford, and Fred Gregory. They were all selected in 1978.
The brave Challenger crew: (front row) Michael J. Smith, Dick Scobee, Ronald McNair; (back row) Ellison Onizuka, Christa McAuliffe, Gregory Jarvis, Judith Resnik.