Michael J. Smith
Sign in to saveAmerican astronaut (1945-1986)
Person · Open Library
- Born
- 1945-04-30
- Died
- 1986-01-28
- Works
- 33
Top works
- Changing Presidential Activity in Foreign Affairs
- Investigating Earth Systems Oceans
- My Queen of the Waves
- Enduring Crown Commonwealth
- Captain Francis Crozier
via Open Library + Wikidata
Listeners · Last.fm
- Listeners
- 17
- Total plays
- 1,074
Tags
Avant-Garde Jazz
<a href="https://www.last.fm/music/Michael+J.+Smith">Read more on Last.fm</a>
Key facts
- Born
- Michael John Smith , ( 1945-04-30 ) April 30, 1945, Beaufort, North Carolina , U.S.
- Died
- January 28, 1986 (1986-01-28) (aged 40), North Atlantic Ocean
- Cause of death
- Space Shuttle Challenger disaster
- Resting place
- Arlington National Cemetery
- Education
- United States Naval Academy ( BS ) Naval Postgraduate School ( MS )
- Awards
- Distinguished Flying Cross Congressional Space Medal of Honor Air Medal
- Rank
- Captain , USN
- Selection
- NASA Group 9 (1980)
- Missions
- STS-51-L
via Wikipedia infobox
Key dates
- Born
- 30 April 1945
- Died
- 28 January 1986
via Wikidata · CC0
Wikidata facts
- Instance of
- human
- Part of
- NASA Astronaut Group 9
- Given name
- John
- Family name
- Smith
- Gender
- male
- Citizenship
- United States
- Place of birth
- Beaufort
- Place of death
- Cape Canaveral
- Occupation
- test pilot
- Educated at
- Naval Postgraduate School
Article
Michael John Smith (April 30, 1945 – January 28, 1986), (Capt USN) was an American engineer and astronaut. He served as the pilot of the Space Shuttle Challenger when it was destroyed during the STS-51-L mission, breaking up 73 seconds into the flight, and at an altitude of 48,000 feet (14.6 km), killing all seven crew members. Smith's voice was the last one heard on the Challenger voice recorder.
During his Naval career, Smith flew 28 different types of civilian and military aircraft and logged 4,867 hours of flying time. Following the Challenger disaster, he was promoted posthumously to the rank of captain, and has had a chair named in his honor at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey, California.
Connections
Categories
1945 births1986 deathsAmerican astronautsAmerican recipients of the Gallantry Cross (Vietnam)American test pilotsBurials at Arlington National CemeteryMilitary personnel from North CarolinaNaval Postgraduate School alumniPeople from Beaufort, North CarolinaRecipients of the Air MedalRecipients of the Congressional Space Medal of HonorRecipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal