Ronald McNair A Pioneer in Space Exploration and a Role Model for Underrepresented Communities

An accomplished physicist and astronaut, McNair logged 191 total hours in space with his first mission, and the crew achieved many firsts. Ronald McNair was born October 21, 1950, in Lake City, South Carolina. He is best known as a physicist and NASA astronaut who was one of the crew of the ... In this conversation, we cover: - His rebellious upbringing being surrounded by physical violence. - Transforming his life around and joining ... In addition to his numerous academic honors, Dr. McNair was an accomplished saxophone player and was a fifth degree black belt in karate. At MIT, Dr. McNair ... He was only 35 years old. Dr. McNair's legacy lives on through the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, established by Congress to inspire ... Ronald McNair was nationally recognized for his work in laser physics and was one of the thirty-five applicants selected by NASA from a pool of ten thousand. In ... Ronald McNair was one of thirty-five applicants selected by NASA for the astronaut program in 1978 and became the second African American to fly in space. On ... Ronald E. McNair, a mission specialist with NASA, died with seven other astronauts in the tragic explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger in January 1986, ... Ronald E. McNair was nationally recognized for his work in the field of laser physics. In 1978, he was one of 35 applicants selected from a pool ... Ronald Erwin McNair was America's second black astronaut and one of seven crew members killed in the space shuttle Challenger explosion January 28, 1986.