Jon McBride: The Life and Career of an Astronaut
Jon McBride is a name that is synonymous with space exploration. He is a former astronaut who flew on the space shuttle Challenger’s STS-41G mission in 1984. But his contributions to the space program go far beyond that one mission. In this article, we will take a closer look at the life and career of Jon McBride.
Early Life and Education
Jon McBride was born on August 14, 1943, in Charleston, West Virginia. He grew up in a family that valued education and hard work. His father was a coal miner, and his mother was a homemaker. McBride attended West Virginia University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering in 1965. He then went on to earn a Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1970.
Military Career
After completing his education, McBride joined the United States Navy. He served as a fighter pilot and flew over 64 combat missions during the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal for his service. McBride also served as a test pilot and was selected to attend the United States Naval Test Pilot School in 1973.
NASA Career
In 1978, McBride was selected to join NASA’s astronaut program. He underwent extensive training and was assigned to the space shuttle program. He served as a mission specialist on the STS-41G mission in 1984. The mission was a success, and McBride became the first astronaut from West Virginia to fly in space.
In addition to his work as an astronaut, McBride also worked on certifying flight software in the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL) at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. He also served as capcom (capsule communicator) in Mission Control for STS-5, STS-6, and STS-7.
Retirement and Later Career
McBride retired from NASA and the Navy in 1989. He went on to work in private industry and later joined the management at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. He has also served as a consultant for various aerospace companies and has been a guest speaker at numerous events.
Conclusion
Jon McBride is a true American hero. His contributions to the space program have been invaluable, and his dedication to his country is an inspiration to us all. We hope that this article has given you a better understanding of the life and career of Jon McBride.
