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), [1] killing all seven crew members.

Feb 26, 2019 · Michael J. Smith was the pilot aboard the space shuttle Challenger, which exploded on January 28, 1986. It was his first flight as an astronaut. His death ended a distinguished career as a Navy pilot and a future in space flight.

MICHAEL J. SMITH (CAPTAIN, USN) NASA ASTRONAUT (DECEASED) PERSONAL DATA: Born April 30, 1945, in Beaufort, North Carolina. Died January 28, 1986. He is survived by his wife, Jane, and three children. Michael enjoyed woodworking, running, tennis, and squash. EDUCATION: Graduated from Beaufort High School, Beaufort, North Carolina, in

Michael J. Smith was the pilot for Challenger mission 51-L. He was born on April 30, 1945 in Beaufort, North Carolina. A commander in the U.S. Navy at the time of the Challenger accident, Smith was educated at the U.S. Naval Academy.

Michael J. Smith was born on April 30, 1945, in Beaufort, North Carolina. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1967 and received an M.A. in aeronautical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School a year later. He married Jane Anne Jarrell and …

Feb 3, 2003 · The pilot for the fatal 1986 Challenger mission was Michael J. Smith, born on April 30, 1945 in Beaufort, North Carolina. At the time of the Challenger accident a commander in the U.S. Navy, Smith had been educated at the U.S. Naval Academy, class of 1967, and received an M.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1968.

Michael J. Smith made the ultimate sacrifice and lost his life in service to the nation and the space program on January 28, 1986 at 40 years of age. Space Shuttle Challenger (OV-099) was a Space Shuttle orbiter manufactured by Rockwell International and operated by NASA.

Jan 28, 2021 · On Jan. 29, 1985, NASA announced the five-person crew for the STS-51L mission, consisting of Commander Francis R. “Dick” Scobee, Pilot Michael J. Smith, and Mission Specialists Ellison S. Onizuka, Judith A. Resnik, and Ronald E. McNair. Smith was the only spaceflight rookie while the other four had each completed one previous mission.

Sep 16, 2020 · Michael J. Smith, a former Vietnam pilot, was the pilot of the Challenger STS 51-L. He left behind his wife, Jane Jarrell Smith (now Jane Smith Wolcott), and three children. Learn more about them and where they are now below.