Ronald McNair

Ronald Erwin McNair (October 21, 1950 – January 28, 1986) was an American NASA astronaut and physicist. His first space mission was STS-41-B aboard Space Shuttle "Challenger" in 1984. After this mission, he was again on "Challenger" for STS-51-L. He died at the start of this mission when the space shuttle was destroyed during the launch. He was the second African American in space.
McNair was born in Lake City, South Carolina. He earned degrees at North Carolina A&amp;T State University (B.S.) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Ph.D.). He also held four honorary doctorates and many fellowships. He was married to Cheryl Moore. The couple had two children.
On January 28, 1986, Space Shuttle "Challenger" broke apart 73 seconds after launch. McNair and all six others aboard died.