Michael J. Smith (astronaut)
| Michael J. Smith | |
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| NASA Astronaut | |
| Nationality | American |
| Born | April 30, 1945 Beaufort, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | January 28, 1986 (aged 40) Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S. |
|
Other names
|
Michael John Smith |
|
Other occupation
|
Naval aviator, test pilot |
|
USNA, B.S. 1967 NPS, M.S. 1968 |
|
| Rank | Captain, USN |
| Selection | 1980 NASA Group 9 |
| Missions | STS-51-L |
|
Mission insignia
|
 |
| Awards |
 
|
Michael John Smith (April 30, 1945 – January 28, 1986), (Capt, USN), was an American astronaut—pilot of the Space Shuttle Challenger when it was destroyed during the STS-51-L mission. All seven crew members died.
Smith was born April 30, 1945, in Beaufort, North Carolina. He graduated from Beaufort High School in 1963, and went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Naval Science from the United States Naval Academy in 1967. He subsequently attended the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey, California, from which he graduated with a Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1968. He completed naval aviation jet training at Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas, receiving his aviator wings in May 1969. He was then assigned to the Advanced Jet Training Command (VT-21) where he served as an instructor from May 1969 to March 1971. During the 2-year period that followed, he flew A-6 Intruders and completed a tour during the Vietnam War while assigned to Attack Squadron 52 (VA-52) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk.
...
Wikipedia