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{{Short description|American astronaut (1945–1986)}} |
{{Short description|American astronaut (1945–1986)}} |
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{{About|the astronaut||Michael Smith (disambiguation){{!}}Michael Smith}} |
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{{More footnotes|date=January 2011}} |
{{More footnotes|date=January 2011}} |
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{{Infobox astronaut |
{{Infobox astronaut |
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|birth_name = Michael John Smith |
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|image = Michael Smith (NASA).jpg |
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|caption = Smith in 1981 |
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|birth_date = {{birth date|1945|4|30}} |
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|type =[[NASA]] [[Astronaut]] |
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|birth_place = [[Beaufort, North Carolina]], U.S. |
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|nationality =American |
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|death_date = {{death date and age|1986|1|28|1945|4|30}} |
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|death_place = North Atlantic Ocean |
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|death_date ={{death date and age|1986|01|28|1945|04|30}} |
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|education = {{ubl|[[United States Naval Academy]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BS]])|[[Naval Postgraduate School]] ([[Master of Science|MS]])}} |
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|death_place =[[Cape Canaveral, Florida]], U.S. |
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⚫ | |awards = {{ubl|[[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]]|[[Congressional Space Medal of Honor]]|[[Air Medal]]}} |
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|type = [[NASA astronaut]] |
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|rank = [[Captain (United States O-6)|Captain]], [[United States Navy|USN]] |
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|rank ={{Dodseal|USNO6|25}} [[Captain (United States O-6)|Captain]], [[United States Navy|USN]] |
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|mission = [[STS-51-L]] ([[Space Shuttle Challenger disaster|disaster]]) |
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|selection =[[ |
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|insignia = [[File:STS-51-L-patch-small.png|50px]] |
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|insignia =[[File:STS-51-L-patch-small.png|40px]] |
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|awards =[[ |
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'''Michael John Smith''' (April 30, 1945 – January 28, 1986), ([[Captain (United States O-6)|Capt]] [[United States Navy|USN]]) was an American [[engineer]] and [[astronaut]]. He served as the pilot of the [[Space Shuttle Challenger|Space Shuttle ''Challenger'']] when it [[Space Shuttle Challenger disaster|was destroyed]] during the [[STS-51-L]] mission, |
'''Michael John Smith''' (April 30, 1945 – January 28, 1986), ([[Captain (United States O-6)|Capt]] [[United States Navy|USN]]) was an American [[engineer]] and [[astronaut]]. He served as the pilot of the [[Space Shuttle Challenger|Space Shuttle ''Challenger'']] when it [[Space Shuttle Challenger disaster|was destroyed]] during the [[STS-51-L]] mission, breaking up 73 seconds into the flight, and at an altitude of 48,000 [[foot (length)|feet]] (14.6 [[kilometre|km]]),<ref name="kerwin">{{cite web|url=https://history.nasa.gov/kerwin.html|title=''Challenger'' crew cause and time of death|author=Kerwin, Joseph P.|year=1986|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130103015825/https://history.nasa.gov/kerwin.html|archive-date=January 3, 2013|url-status=dead|access-date=July 4, 2006}}</ref> killing all seven crew members. Smith's voice was the last one heard on the ''Challenger'' voice recorder.<ref name=":0">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/07/29/science/challenger-crew-knew-of-problem-data-now-suggest.html|title=Challenger Crew Knew of Problem, Data Now Suggest|last=Boffey|first=Philip M.|date=July 29, 1986|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=April 28, 2014}}</ref> |
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During his Naval career, Smith flew 28 different types of civilian and military aircraft and logged 4,867 hours of flying time. Following the Challenger disaster, he was promoted posthumously by Congress to the rank of [[Captain (U.S. Navy)|captain]], and has had a chair named in his honor at the [[Naval Postgraduate School]] (NPS) in [[Monterey, California]]. |
During his Naval career, Smith flew 28 different types of civilian and military aircraft and logged 4,867 hours of flying time. Following the ''Challenger'' disaster, he was promoted posthumously by Congress to the rank of [[Captain (U.S. Navy)|captain]], and has had a chair named in his honor at the [[Naval Postgraduate School]] (NPS) in [[Monterey, California]]. |
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==Early life and military career== |
==Early life and military career== |
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Smith was born April 30, 1945, in [[Beaufort, North Carolina]]. He graduated from |
Smith was born April 30, 1945, in [[Beaufort, North Carolina]]. He graduated from East Carteret High School in 1963 and went on to receive a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in Naval Science from the [[United States Naval Academy]] in 1967. |
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Smith subsequently attended the U.S. [[Naval Postgraduate School]] at [[Monterey, California]], from which he graduated with a [[Master of Science]] degree in [[Aeronautical Engineering]] in 1968. Smith was awarded a [[Marshall Scholarship]] and went on to complete naval aviation jet training at [[Naval Air Station Kingsville]], [[Texas]], receiving his [[United States Aviator Badge|aviator wings]] in May 1969. He was then assigned to the Advanced Jet Training Command ([[VT-21]]) where he served as an [[flight instructor|instructor]] from May 1969 to March 1971. During the two-year period that followed, Smith flew [[A-6 Intruder]]s and completed a tour in 1972 during the [[Vietnam War]] while assigned to Attack Squadron 52 ([[VA-52 (U.S. Navy)|VA-52]]) aboard the [[aircraft carrier]] {{USS|Kitty Hawk|CV-63|6}}. During his deployment with VA-52, Smith took part in [[Operation Linebacker]], the first continuous bombing effort conducted against North Vietnam since 1968. |
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After returning from Vietnam, Smith attended [[U.S. Naval Test Pilot School]] (NTPS), graduating from the program in 1974. |
After returning from Vietnam, Smith attended [[U.S. Naval Test Pilot School]] (NTPS), graduating from the program in 1974. Following NTPS, he was assigned to the Strike Aircraft Test Directorate at [[NAS Patuxent River]], [[Maryland]], to work on the A-6E TRAM and [[Cruise missile]] guidance systems. Smith returned to NTPS in 1976 and completed an 18-month assignment there as an instructor. From Patuxent River, he was assigned to Attack Squadron 75 ([[Attack Squadron 75 (United States Navy)|VA-75]]), serving as a maintenance and operations officer while completing two Mediterranean cruises aboard the aircraft carrier {{USS|Saratoga|CV-60|6}}. |
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During his time in the |
During his time in the Navy, Smith flew 28 different types of civilian and military aircraft, cumulating in 4,867.7 hours of flying time.<ref name=nasabio>{{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/smith_michael.pdf |title=MICHAEL J. SMITH (CAPTAIN, USN), NASA ASTRONAUT (DECEASED) |publisher=NASA |access-date=June 2, 2021}}</ref> |
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==Astronaut career== |
==Astronaut career== |
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Smith was selected for the astronaut program in May 1980; he served as a commander in the [[Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory]] (SAIL), Deputy Chief of Aircraft Operations Division, Technical Assistant to the Director, Flight Operations Directorate, and was also assigned to the Astronaut Office Development and Test Group. In addition to being pilot on the ''Challenger'', |
Smith was selected for the astronaut program in May 1980; he served as a commander in the [[Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory]] (SAIL), Deputy Chief of Aircraft Operations Division, Technical Assistant to the Director, Flight Operations Directorate, and was also assigned to the Astronaut Office Development and Test Group. In addition to being pilot on the ''Challenger'', Smith had been slated to pilot a future Shuttle mission (STS-61-I) which had been scheduled for the Fall of 1986.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/s/sts-61-i.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228083319/http://astronautix.com/s/sts-61-i.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 28, 2016|title=STS-61-I}}</ref> Smith's voice was the last one heard on the flight deck tape recorder aboard ''Challenger''; his final remark was "Uh oh."<ref name=":0" /> |
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Following the ''Challenger'' disaster, examination of the recovered vehicle cockpit revealed that three of the crew members' [[Personal Egress Air Pack]]s were activated: those of Smith, mission specialist [[Judith Resnik]], and mission specialist [[Ellison Onizuka]]. The location of Smith's activation switch, on the back side of his seat, means that either Resnik or Onizuka could have activated it for him. This is the only evidence available from the disaster that shows Onizuka and Resnik were alive after the cockpit separated from the vehicle. However, if the cabin had lost pressure, the packs alone would not have sustained the crew during the two-minute descent. |
Following the ''Challenger'' disaster, examination of the recovered vehicle cockpit revealed that three of the crew members' [[Personal Egress Air Pack]]s were activated: those of Smith, mission specialist [[Judith Resnik]], and mission specialist [[Ellison Onizuka]]. The location of Smith's activation switch, on the back side of his seat, means that either Resnik or Onizuka could have activated it for him. This is the only evidence available from the disaster that shows Onizuka and Resnik were alive after the cockpit separated from the vehicle. However, if the cabin had lost pressure, the packs alone would not have sustained the crew during the two-minute descent. |
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==Recognition== |
==Recognition== |
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Smith was posthumously awarded the [[Congressional Space Medal of Honor]] in 2004, along with all crew members lost in the ''Challenger'' and [[Space Shuttle Columbia disaster|''Columbia'']] accidents.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://history.nasa.gov/spacemedal.htm|title=Congressional Space Medal of Honor|publisher=[[NASA]]|access-date= |
Smith was posthumously awarded the [[Congressional Space Medal of Honor]] in 2004, along with all crew members lost in the ''Challenger'' and [[Space Shuttle Columbia disaster|''Columbia'']] accidents.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://history.nasa.gov/spacemedal.htm|title=Congressional Space Medal of Honor|publisher=[[NASA]]|access-date=June 18, 2012}}</ref> He also received the [[Defense Distinguished Service Medal]] (posthumous), the Navy [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]], three [[Air Medal]]s, 13 [[Air Medal|Strike/Flight Air Medals]], the [[Navy Commendation Medal]] with [["V" Device]], the [[Navy Unit Citation]], and the [[Gallantry Cross (Vietnam)|Vietnam Cross of Gallantry]] with Silver Star. |
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The [[Michael J. Smith Field]] airfield in his home town of [[Beaufort, North Carolina]] is named after Smith. |
The [[Michael J. Smith Field]] airfield in his home town of [[Beaufort, North Carolina]] is named after Smith. |
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Smith was portrayed by [[Brian Kerwin]] in the 1990 TV movie ''[[Challenger ( |
Smith was portrayed by [[Brian Kerwin]] in the 1990 TV movie ''[[Challenger (1990 film)|Challenger]]''. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*[http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/michaelj.htm Michael J. Smith - Arlington National Cemetery] |
*[http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/michaelj.htm Michael J. Smith - Arlington National Cemetery] |
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*{{Find a Grave|1918|Michael John Smith}} |
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* {{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/smith_michael.pdf |title=MICHAEL J. SMITH (CAPTAIN, USN), NASA ASTRONAUT (DECEASED) |publisher=NASA |access-date=June 2, 2021}} |
* {{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/smith_michael.pdf |title=MICHAEL J. SMITH (CAPTAIN, USN), NASA ASTRONAUT (DECEASED) |publisher=NASA |access-date=June 2, 2021}} |
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[[Category:1945 births]] |
[[Category:1945 births]] |
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[[Category:1986 deaths]] |
[[Category:1986 deaths]] |
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[[Category:Aviators killed in aviation accidents or incidents in the United States]] |
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[[Category:American astronauts]] |
[[Category:American astronauts]] |
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[[Category:People from Beaufort, North Carolina]] |
[[Category:People from Beaufort, North Carolina]] |
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Michael J. Smith
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Smith in 1981
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Born | Michael John Smith (1945-04-30)April 30, 1945
Beaufort, North Carolina, U.S.
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Died | January 28, 1986(1986-01-28) (aged 40)
North Atlantic Ocean
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Resting place | Arlington National Cemetery |
Education |
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Awards |
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Space career | |
NASA astronaut | |
Rank | Captain, USN |
Selection | NASA Group 9 (1980) |
Missions | STS-51-L (disaster) |
Mission insignia | ![]() |
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. Smith's voice was the last one heard on the Challenger voice recorder.[2]
During his Naval career, Smith flew 28 different types of civilian and military aircraft and logged 4,867 hours of flying time. Following the Challenger disaster, he was promoted posthumously by Congress to the rank of captain, and has had a chair named in his honor at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey, California.
Smith was born April 30, 1945, in Beaufort, North Carolina. He graduated from East Carteret High School in 1963 and went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Naval Science from the United States Naval Academy in 1967.
Smith subsequently attended the U.S. Naval Postgraduate SchoolatMonterey, California, from which he graduated with a Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1968. Smith was awarded a Marshall Scholarship and went on to complete naval aviation jet training at Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas, receiving his aviator wings in May 1969. He was then assigned to the Advanced Jet Training Command (VT-21) where he served as an instructor from May 1969 to March 1971. During the two-year period that followed, Smith flew A-6 Intruders and completed a tour in 1972 during the Vietnam War while assigned to Attack Squadron 52 (VA-52) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk. During his deployment with VA-52, Smith took part in Operation Linebacker, the first continuous bombing effort conducted against North Vietnam since 1968.
After returning from Vietnam, Smith attended U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (NTPS), graduating from the program in 1974. Following NTPS, he was assigned to the Strike Aircraft Test Directorate at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, to work on the A-6E TRAM and Cruise missile guidance systems. Smith returned to NTPS in 1976 and completed an 18-month assignment there as an instructor. From Patuxent River, he was assigned to Attack Squadron 75 (VA-75), serving as a maintenance and operations officer while completing two Mediterranean cruises aboard the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga.
During his time in the Navy, Smith flew 28 different types of civilian and military aircraft, cumulating in 4,867.7 hours of flying time.[3]
Smith was selected for the astronaut program in May 1980; he served as a commander in the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL), Deputy Chief of Aircraft Operations Division, Technical Assistant to the Director, Flight Operations Directorate, and was also assigned to the Astronaut Office Development and Test Group. In addition to being pilot on the Challenger, Smith had been slated to pilot a future Shuttle mission (STS-61-I) which had been scheduled for the Fall of 1986.[4] Smith's voice was the last one heard on the flight deck tape recorder aboard Challenger; his final remark was "Uh oh."[2]
Following the Challenger disaster, examination of the recovered vehicle cockpit revealed that three of the crew members' Personal Egress Air Packs were activated: those of Smith, mission specialist Judith Resnik, and mission specialist Ellison Onizuka. The location of Smith's activation switch, on the back side of his seat, means that either Resnik or Onizuka could have activated it for him. This is the only evidence available from the disaster that shows Onizuka and Resnik were alive after the cockpit separated from the vehicle. However, if the cabin had lost pressure, the packs alone would not have sustained the crew during the two-minute descent.
While analyzing the wreckage, investigators discovered that several electrical system switches on Smith's right-hand panel had been moved from their usual launch positions. Fellow Astronaut Richard Mullane wrote, "These switches were protected with lever locks that required them to be pulled outward against a spring force before they could be moved to a new position." Later tests established that neither the force of the explosion, nor the impact with the ocean could have moved them indicating that he made the switch changes, presumably in an attempt to restore electrical power to the cockpit after the crew cabin detached from the rest of the orbiter.[5]
Smith was posthumously awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor in 2004, along with all crew members lost in the Challenger and Columbia accidents.[6] He also received the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (posthumous), the Navy Distinguished Flying Cross, three Air Medals, 13 Strike/Flight Air Medals, the Navy Commendation Medal with "V" Device, the Navy Unit Citation, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star.
The Michael J. Smith Field airfield in his home town of Beaufort, North Carolina is named after Smith.
Smith was portrayed by Brian Kerwin in the 1990 TV movie Challenger.
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