Black History 365 | # 214 Ronald E. McNair May 3, 2025 After earning a B.S. degree in physics, Ronald E. McNair completed a Ph.D. at MIT in 1977 and conducted research on electro-optic laser modulation for satellite space communications before applying to become an astronaut. In January 1978, he was selected as part of NASA’s eighth astronaut class, one of the first three African Americans selected. He became NASA’s second Black American to go to space in February 1984 with STS-41B. On January 28, 1986, he was one of seven astronauts who died on Space Shuttle Challenger. He and his six STS-51L crew mates died when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded after launch. Rest in peace, safe travels.
