Ronald E. McNair A Beacon of Excellence in Science and Space

Physicist Ronald E. McNair became the second African American to enter space. He was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in January 1978. This building played an important role in the early education of Dr. Ronald E. McNair, Lake City native and former NASA astronaut who, at nine years of age, was ... 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 1978, McNair was selected to join the NASA astronaut program. In 1984, he flew aboard the Challenger becoming the second African American to fly in space. In 1989, the U.S. Department of Education established the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program to prepare eligible students ... Dr. Ronald E. McNair was born October 21, 1950, in Lake City, South Carolina. The NASA astronaut died January 28, 1986. He is survived by his wife Cheryl, and ... ... astronaut program in 1978. On his first space flight in 1984, Dr. McNair successfully conducted several experiments, including manipulating a remote arm ... One of the first African American astronauts, McNair, was selected as a mission specialist astronaut for NASA's Space Shuttle Program in 1978. Ronald Erwin McNair (1950 - 1986) physicist, and 2nd African American astronaut in space was also a proud graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical ... Ron McNair, one of the astronauts killed in the Challenger explosion, is being honored in his hometown where he stood up for racial equality ...