Ronald McNair

Ronald Erwin McNair (October 21, 1950 – January 28, 1986) was one of the astronauts killed during the launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger, mission STS-51-L. He was a native of Lake City, South Carolina.

Related Topics:
October 21 - 1950 - January 28 - 1986 - Astronaut - Space Shuttle Challenger - STS-51-L - Lake City, South Carolina

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Dr. McNair received a B.S. in physics from North Carolina A&T State University in 1967, and a Ph.D. in the same discipline from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1976. He was also honored with honorary doctorates in 1978, 1980 and 1984.

Related Topics:
Physics - North Carolina A&T State University - Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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He was a 5th-degree black belt karate instructor and had won five regional championships. Among myriad other studies in the field of physics, Dr. McNair had conducted research on the scientific foundations of the martial arts.

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After graduation from MIT, he became a staff physicist at the Hughes Research Laboratories, Malibu, California.

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Hughes Research Laboratories - Malibu, California

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During the 1970s actress Nichelle Nichols of Star Trek fame was employed by NASA to recruit minority candidates for the space program. Dr. McNair became one of these candidates, was selected for the astronaut program in 1978 and had flown a mission on the Challenger in February, 1984 as a mission specialist.

Related Topics:
Nichelle Nichols - Star Trek - NASA - Space program

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Dr. McNair was a saxophonist; before the mission he worked with composer Jean Michel Jarre on a piece of music, Rendez-vous VI. It was intended that he would record his saxophone solo on board Challenger, making it the first piece of music played in space. After the disaster, the piece was renamed Ron's Piece.

Related Topics:
Saxophonist - Jean Michel Jarre

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McNair crater on the Moon is named in his honor. Also, the U.S. Department of Education offers the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program for disadvantaged students.

Related Topics:
McNair crater - Moon - U.S. Department of Education

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