Ronald Ervin McNair.
Dr. Ronald Ervin McNair was one of the few African American physicists and a NASA astronaut as well. He was born in the small town of Lake City in Carolina on 21st October, 1950. He died on January 28, 1986. (NASA)
Mr. Ronald Ervin McNair was a graduate of the Carver High School in South Carolina. He then received a degree of BS from Carolina AT State University in 1971 and then he completed his Ph.D. in the field of Physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He received a doctorate in Law from NC AT State University and a doctorate of Science from Morris College and another doctorate of Science from University of South Carolina. He was a very committed and professional human being and had received several awards in his lifetime. He even received the Space Medal of Honor after his death. Some of his outstanding achievements were the Distinguished Alumni Award in 1979, NATO Fellow in 1975, Winner of Omega Psi Phi Scholar of Year Award in 1975 and many more. Apart from his educational achievements, he had also been awarded a sixth degree black belt in the sport of karate. McNair was also fond of saxophones, boxing, football, cooking and even running. He was an all-round talented person and was also involved in several organizations. Mc Nair was happily married and has survived two children. (NASA)
Before being selected as an astronaut candidate, McNair was recognized for his work on Laser Physics. He had significantly aided the early development of CO lasers. He contributed greatly to the field of physics and is remembered today for his work on molecular spectroscopy, electro-optic laser modulation for satellite-to-satellite space communications, ultraviolet atmospheric remote sensing, and the scientific foundations of the martial arts. (NASA)
In 1978, thirty five candidates were selected from a count of ten thousand to become a part of NASAs space shuttle program. He then underwent training for a period of one year. He was then made the mission specialist in the 1984 flight of the shuttle STS-41-B abroad Challenger. He orbited the earth 122 times on his first mission. This made McNair to become the second African American to fly in space.
After this mission, he was again selected for STS-51-L. This was launched in January 1986. On 28 January, the challenger space shuttle exploded nine miles above the Atlantic Ocean. The shuttle had taken off only 74 seconds ago. McNair and his seven fellow crew members died on this Challenger shuttle. (NASA)
As McNair was a recognized saxophonist as well, he was working parallel with a music composer Jean Michel Jarre on a piece of music which was to be recorded on the Challenger. This would have made it the first song to be recorded in space. But unfortunately, fate did not comply and the space mission crashed seconds after it took off. (NASA)
Even though MR. McNair started off in a small town, he never let his color or creed come in the way of his success. The aim of McNair was to continue his hard work and encourage the younger generation to work hard for their goals. He always said to dream big in life and live life fully. The history of Dr. Ronald McNair is very inspiring and should be passed on from generation to generation to serve as a role model. (McNAir Acheivement Programs, 2010)
Mr. Ronald Ervin McNair was a graduate of the Carver High School in South Carolina. He then received a degree of BS from Carolina AT State University in 1971 and then he completed his Ph.D. in the field of Physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He received a doctorate in Law from NC AT State University and a doctorate of Science from Morris College and another doctorate of Science from University of South Carolina. He was a very committed and professional human being and had received several awards in his lifetime. He even received the Space Medal of Honor after his death. Some of his outstanding achievements were the Distinguished Alumni Award in 1979, NATO Fellow in 1975, Winner of Omega Psi Phi Scholar of Year Award in 1975 and many more. Apart from his educational achievements, he had also been awarded a sixth degree black belt in the sport of karate. McNair was also fond of saxophones, boxing, football, cooking and even running. He was an all-round talented person and was also involved in several organizations. Mc Nair was happily married and has survived two children. (NASA)
Before being selected as an astronaut candidate, McNair was recognized for his work on Laser Physics. He had significantly aided the early development of CO lasers. He contributed greatly to the field of physics and is remembered today for his work on molecular spectroscopy, electro-optic laser modulation for satellite-to-satellite space communications, ultraviolet atmospheric remote sensing, and the scientific foundations of the martial arts. (NASA)
In 1978, thirty five candidates were selected from a count of ten thousand to become a part of NASAs space shuttle program. He then underwent training for a period of one year. He was then made the mission specialist in the 1984 flight of the shuttle STS-41-B abroad Challenger. He orbited the earth 122 times on his first mission. This made McNair to become the second African American to fly in space.
After this mission, he was again selected for STS-51-L. This was launched in January 1986. On 28 January, the challenger space shuttle exploded nine miles above the Atlantic Ocean. The shuttle had taken off only 74 seconds ago. McNair and his seven fellow crew members died on this Challenger shuttle. (NASA)
As McNair was a recognized saxophonist as well, he was working parallel with a music composer Jean Michel Jarre on a piece of music which was to be recorded on the Challenger. This would have made it the first song to be recorded in space. But unfortunately, fate did not comply and the space mission crashed seconds after it took off. (NASA)
Even though MR. McNair started off in a small town, he never let his color or creed come in the way of his success. The aim of McNair was to continue his hard work and encourage the younger generation to work hard for their goals. He always said to dream big in life and live life fully. The history of Dr. Ronald McNair is very inspiring and should be passed on from generation to generation to serve as a role model. (McNAir Acheivement Programs, 2010)
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