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):

NASA Astronaut, United States Navy Pilot

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

• Commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy in 1967.
• Completed flight training and became a Naval Aviator in 1969.
• Accumulated over 4,867 hours of flight time.
• Served as a test pilot at the Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Maryland.
• Selected by NASA as an astronaut candidate in May 1980.
• Assigned as pilot of the Space Shuttle Challenger mission STS-51-L.

Notable Works

• Pilot on Space Shuttle Challenger mission STS-51-L, which was tragically lost during launch on January 28, 1986.

Legacy and Impact

Michael John Smith's career exemplified dedication to service and exploration. While his life was tragically cut short during the Challenger disaster, his commitment to the advancement of space exploration remains an inspiration. Researching sources for a biography requires diligence, and that approach was used to discover this information. A comprehensive "florrie fisher biography of michael" could potentially delve deeper into his personal life and contributions to the Navy.

Awards and Decorations

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