Ronald McNair
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Ronald Erwin McNair was an American NASA astronaut and physicist. He 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 thre
McNair in 1985
McNair in the 1980s
Astronaut candidates Ron McNair, Guy Bluford, and Fred Gregory wearing Apollo spacesuits, May 1978.
First three African-American astronauts to go to space, including McNair, Guy Bluford and Fred Gregory from the class of 1978 selection of astronauts.
STS-51-L
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STS-51-L was the 25th mission of NASA's Space Shuttle program which resulted in the loss of Space Shuttle Challenger.
Ronald McNair
…January 28, 1986) was an American NASA astronaut and physicist. He 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. Prior to the Challenger disaster, McNair flew as a mission specialist…
Challenger launches at the start of STS-51-L. 73 seconds later, the right SRB aft strut would fail, causing the aerodynamic breakup of the orbiter and the deaths of all 7 crew on board.
Back row: Onizuka, McAuliffe, Jarvis and Resnik Front row: Smith, Scobee and McNairSpace Shuttle program← STS-61-C (24)STS-26 → Cancelled: STS-61-E →
Challenger after the explosion 73 seconds after launch