Astronauts names with pictures

Michael J. Smith

Beaufort, North Carolina, April 30,

Mission Specialist

Graduated from Beaufort High School, Beaufort, North Carolina, in ; received B.S. degree in Naval Science form the U.S. Naval Academy in and a MS degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the US Naval Postgraduate School in

The Navy Distinguished Flying cross, 3 Air Medals, 3 Strike Flight Air Medals, the Navy Commendation Medal with the "V", the Navy Unit Citation, and the Vietnamese cross of Gallantry with the Silver Star

The pilot on Challenger mission STS L was Michael J.

Smith. He was born on April 30, in Beafort, North Carolina. He enjoyed woodworking, running, tennis, and squash. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in and later attended the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey, California where he received a master of science degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He completed Navy aviation jet training at Kingsville, Texas where he received his aviator wings in May He was assigned to the Advanced Jet Training Command (VT) where he served as an instructor from May to March During the following two years, he flew A-6 Intruders and completed a tour in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War while assigned to Attack Squadron 52 (VA) aboard the USS Kitty Hawk (CV).

Michael smith astronaut biography jerry He completed Navy aviation jet training at Kingsville, Texas where he received his aviator wings in May Michael J. Retrieved July 4, Measure advertising performance.

In , he graduated from U.S. Naval Test Pilot School and was assigned to the Strike Aircraft Test Directorate at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland. He worked on the A-6E TRAM and Cruise missile guidance systems. He later returned to the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in and completed an month tour as an instructor. Smith then went on to serve as a maintenance and operations officer with Attack Squadron 75 (VA) while completing two deployments in the Mediterranean aboard the USS Saratoga.

He flew 28 different types of aircraft and logged more than 4, hours of flying time.

Smith was selected for the astronaut program in He completed a one-year training program in which qualified him as a pilot in the Space Shuttle program.

See full list on thoughtco.com You may accept or manage your choices by clicking below, including your right to object where legitimate interest is used, or at any time in the privacy policy page. Smith was awarded a Marshall Scholarship and went on to complete naval aviation jet training at Naval Air Station Kingsville , Texas , receiving his aviator wings in May He was promoted posthumously to the rank of Navy Captain and had a chair named in his honor at the U. To search this site, type your search word s in the box below and click the search button:.

He served as a commander in the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory, Deputy Chief of Aircraft Operations Division, Technical Assistant to the Director, Flight Operations Directorate, and was also assigned to the Astronaut Office Development and Test Group.

Smith was selected as pilot for Challenger mission STS L. It was to be his first space flight.

His voice was the last one to be heard on Challenger's voice recorder. He was heard saying "Uh-oh" just before Mission Control Mission Control received the last telemetry data . The Shuttle then broke up 73 seconds into the flight at an altitude of 48, feet ( km).

Videos Smith was awarded the Congressional Space Medal, as well as the Defense Distinguished Service medal both posthumously. While analyzing the wreckage, investigators discovered that several electrical system switches on Smith's right-hand panel had been moved from their usual launch positions. In addition to being pilot on the Challenger , Smith had been slated to pilot a future Shuttle mission STSI which had been scheduled for Fall Smith was born April 30, , in Beaufort, North Carolina.

After the accident, Smith was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery, and was survived by his wife and three children. He was promoted posthumously by Congress to the rank of Captain, and has had a Chair named in his honor at the Naval Postgraduate School. He was also posthumously awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal and the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.

The Michael J. Smith Field airfield in his home town of Beaufort, North Carolina was named in his honor.