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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.
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.
Feb 26, 2019 · Learn about the life and career of Michael J. Smith, the pilot of the space shuttle Challenger that exploded in 1986. Find out his achievements, awards, family, and legacy in this comprehensive biography.
Jan 28, 2016 · From left, the crew members who died were Lt. Col. Ellison S. Onizuka of the Air Force; the pilot, Cmdr. Michael J. Smith of the Navy; Christa McAuliffe, a high school teacher; the mission...
Jan 27, 2021 · Michael J. Smith was one of the seven crew members who died in the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion on January 28, 1986. Learn about the investigation, the causes, and the memorial of the tragedy from the National Archives blog.
Jan 28, 2016 · Michael J. Smith was the pilot of the fatal 1986 Challenger mission, his first and only space flight. He was a Navy commander and test pilot who flew 28 different types of aircraft and logged over 4,300 hours of flight time.
Feb 3, 2003 · Learn about the seven astronauts who died in the Challenger explosion in 1986, including pilot Michael J. Smith. Read his biography and see his photos from the mission.
