19 Facts About Ronald McNair

Ronald Erwin McNair was an American NASA astronaut and physicist.

Ronald McNair died at the age of 35 during the launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger on mission STS-51-L, in which he was serving as one of three mission specialists in a crew of seven.

Ronald Erwin McNair was born in Lake City, South Carolina, on October 21,1950, to Carl C McNair, an auto repairman, and his wife, a high school teacher named Pearl.

Ronald McNair attended Lake City Elementary School and Carver High School, where he graduated as valedictorian in 1967.

In 1976, Ronald McNair received a PhD degree in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology under the guidance of Michael Feld, becoming nationally recognized for his work in the field of laser physics.

That same year, Ronald McNair won the AAU Karate gold medal.

Ronald McNair received four honorary doctorates, as well as a score of fellowships and commendations.

Ronald McNair became a staff physicist at the Hughes Research Lab in Malibu, California.

Ronald McNair was a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

Ronald McNair was a member of the Baha'i Faith, which emphasizes the unity of humanity and harmony between science and religion.

Ronald McNair first encountered the religion in Lake City, South Carolina, in the 1960s and remained a lifelong adherent.

Ronald McNair even carried a book of Baha'i prayers with him on the Challenger mission, reflecting his commitment to the faith.

In 1978, Ronald McNair was selected as one of 35 applicants from a pool of 10,000 for the NASA astronaut program.

Ronald McNair was one of several astronauts recruited by Nichelle Nichols as part of a NASA effort to increase the number of minority and female astronauts.

Ronald McNair flew as a mission specialist on STS-41-B aboard Challenger from February 3 to 11,1984, becoming the second African American to fly in space.

Ronald McNair was initially buried at Rest Lawn Memorial Park in Lake City, South Carolina.

Ronald McNair's remains were disinterred in 2004 and moved to Ronald E McNair Memorial Park, located elsewhere in Lake City.

Ronald McNair was posthumously awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor in 2004, along with all crew members lost in the Challenger and Columbia disasters.

Ronald McNair was married to Cheryl Ronald McNair, and they had two children.