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In 1971 he received a bachelor's degree in engineering physics, [[magna cum laude]], from [[North Carolina A&T State University]] in Greensboro, North Carolina. McNair was a member of [[Omega Psi Phi]] [[Fraternity]]. In 1976, he received his [[Ph.D.]] in [[physics]] from the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] under guidance of Prof. [[Michael Stephen Feld|Michael Feld]] becoming nationally recognized for his work in the field of laser physics. He received three [[honorary doctorate]]s, a score of [[fellow]]ships and [[commendation]]s and achieved a black belt in [[karate]]. After graduation from MIT, he became a staff physicist at the [[Hughes Research Laboratories|Hughes Research Lab]] in [[Malibu, California]].
In 1971 he received a bachelor's degree in engineering physics, [[magna cum laude]], from [[North Carolina A&T State University]] in Greensboro, North Carolina. McNair was a member of [[Omega Psi Phi]] [[Fraternity]]. In 1976, he received his [[Ph.D.]] in [[physics]] from the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] under guidance of Prof. [[Michael Stephen Feld|Michael Feld]] becoming nationally recognized for his work in the field of laser physics. He received three [[honorary doctorate]]s, a score of [[fellow]]ships and [[commendation]]s and achieved a black belt in [[karate]]. After graduation from MIT, he became a staff physicist at the [[Hughes Research Laboratories|Hughes Research Lab]] in [[Malibu, California]].


[[File:Astronaut candidates Ronald McNair, Guion Bluford, and Frederick Gregory.jpg|thumb|left|Astronaut candidates Ronald McNair, Guion Bluford, and Frederick Gregory]]
[[File:Astronaut candidates Ronald McNair, Guion Bluford, and Frederick Gregory.jpg|thumb|left|Astronaut candidates Ronald McNair, Guion Bluford, and Frederick Gregory]] sdabfbv


==Astronaut==
==Astronaut==

Revision as of 19:09, 19 February 2013

Ronald Ervin McNair
Born(1950-10-21)October 21, 1950
StatusKilled during the Challenger mission
DiedJanuary 28, 1986(1986-01-28) (aged 35)
NationalityAmerican
OccupationPhysicist
Space career
NASA Astronaut
Time in space
7d 23h 15m
Selection1978 NASA Group
MissionsSTS-41-B, STS-51-L
Mission insignia

Ronald Ervin McNair, Ph.D., (October 21, 1950 – January 28, 1986) was a physicist and NASA astronaut. McNair died during the launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger on mission STS-51-L.

Background

Born in Lake City, South Carolina. He was raised by his parents, Pearl M. and Carl C. McNair, and had two brothers, Carl S. and Eric A. McNair. McNair graduated as valedictorian of Carver High School in 1967.[1][1]

In 1971 he received a bachelor's degree in engineering physics, magna cum laude, from North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina. McNair was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. In 1976, he received his Ph.D. in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology under guidance of Prof. Michael Feld becoming nationally recognized for his work in the field of laser physics. He received three honorary doctorates, a score of fellowships and commendations and achieved a black belt in karate. After graduation from MIT, he became a staff physicist at the Hughes Research Lab in Malibu, California.

Astronaut candidates Ronald McNair, Guion Bluford, and Frederick Gregory

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Astronaut

In 1978, McNair was selected as one of thirty-five applicants from a pool of ten thousand for the NASA astronaut program. He flew on STS-41-B aboard Challenger in February 1984, as a mission specialist becoming the second African American to fly in space. Following this mission, McNair was selected for STS-51-L, which launched on January 28, 1986, and was subsequently killed when Challenger disintegrated nine miles above the Atlantic Ocean just 73 seconds after liftoff.[2]

Music in Space project

McNair was an accomplished saxophonist. Before his fateful last space shuttle mission he had worked with composer Jean Michel Jarre on a piece of music for Jarre's then-upcoming album Rendez-Vous. It was intended that he would record his saxophone solo on board the Challenger, which would have made McNair's solo the first original piece of music to have been recorded in space[3] (although the song "Jingle Bells" had been played on a harmonica during an earlier Gemini 6 spaceflight.) However, the recording was never made as the flight ended in disaster leading to the deaths of its entire crew. The last of the Rendez-Vous pieces, (Last Rendez-Vous) had the additional name "Ron's Piece". Ron McNair was supposed to take part in the concert through a live feed.

Public honors

Dr. Ronald E. McNair memorial in his hometown, Lake City, South Carolina
Dr. Ronald E. McNair tomb in his hometown, Lake City, South Carolina
Ronald McNair Park in Brooklyn, New York City
Ronald E. McNair South Central Police Station of the Houston Police Department in Houston, Texas

A variety of public places and people have been renamed in honor of McNair.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Smith, Bruce (2011-01-28). "Small SC town pauses to remember astronaut son". TheState.com. Retrieved 2011-01-29.
  2. ^ NASA Biography
  3. ^ Synth History
  4. ^ "Astronaut's Brother Recalls A Man Who Dreamed Big". January 28, 2011. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  5. ^ Hague, Jim. "In a Class By Itself". Jersey City Magazine, Spring & Summer 2011. page 55
  6. ^ Ronald McNair Academy, accessed January 28, 2011.
  7. ^ [1]
  8. ^ "Historical Sign Listings : NYC Parks". Nycgovparks.org. Retrieved 2012-05-18.
  9. ^ "Dr. Ronald McNair Playground". Retrieved 2012-11-23.
  10. ^ "TRIO - Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program - Home Page". Ed.gov. 2012-05-09. Retrieved 2012-05-18.

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