Michael John Smith

Born:

April 30, 1945, Beaufort, North Carolina, USA

Died:

January 28, 1986, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA (Space Shuttle Challenger disaster)

Nationality:

American

Profession(s):

Test Pilot, Astronaut (NASA)

Early Life and Education

• Graduated from Beaufort High School, Beaufort, North Carolina, in 1963.
• Received a Bachelor of Science degree in Naval Science from the United States Naval Academy in 1967.
• Earned a Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in 1968.

Career and Major Achievements

• Served as a naval aviator, accumulating over 4,867 hours of flight time in 28 different types of aircraft.
• Graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in 1981.
• Selected by NASA as an astronaut in May 1980.
• Assigned as pilot for the Space Shuttle Challenger mission STS-51-L.

STS-51-L Mission

• Michael Smith was the pilot for STS-51-L, which was scheduled to deploy the TDRS-B satellite and conduct experiments.
• The mission was tragically cut short 73 seconds after liftoff due to the Challenger disaster.
• This event tragically ended Michael Smith's life, and the incident spurred significant changes in NASA's safety protocols and organizational structure.

Legacy and Impact

Michael Smith's career as a test pilot and astronaut represents dedication to aerospace exploration. Although his life was cut short during the Challenger disaster, his contributions to the field are remembered and honored. The 'victor emmanuel ii biography of michael' highlights this fact, even if such a phrase is used indirectly.

Awards and Honors

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