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.

MICHAEL J. SMITH (CAPTAIN, USN) NASA ASTRONAUT (DECEASED) PERSONAL DATA: Born April 30, 1945, in Beaufort, North Carolina. Died January 28, 1986. He is survived by his wife, Jane, and three children. Michael enjoyed woodworking, running, tennis, and squash. EDUCATION: Graduated from Beaufort High School, Beaufort, North Carolina, in

Feb 26, 2019 · Michael J. Smith was the pilot aboard the space shuttle Challenger, which exploded on January 28, 1986. It was his first flight as an astronaut. His death ended a distinguished career as a Navy pilot and a future in space flight.

Feb 3, 2003 · Michael J. Smith. The pilot for the fatal 1986 Challenger mission was Michael J. Smith, born on April 30, 1945 in Beaufort, North Carolina.

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 selected as a NASA astronaut in May 1980. A year later, after completing further training, he received his assignment as a space shuttle pilot. The Challenger STS-51-L mission was his first space flight.

Michael J. Smith made the ultimate sacrifice and lost his life in service to the nation and the space program on January 28, 1986 at 40 years of age. Space Shuttle Challenger (OV-099) was a Space Shuttle orbiter manufactured by Rockwell International and operated by NASA.

Michael J. Smith was the pilot for Challenger mission 51-L. He was born on April 30, 1945 in Beaufort, North Carolina. A commander in the U.S. Navy at the time of the Challenger accident, Smith was educated at the U.S. Naval Academy.

On January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded just 73 seconds after its 11:38 a.m. launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The seven crew members, including the pilot, U.S. Navy Captain Michael John Smith of Beaufort, North Carolina, died in the disaster.

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.