Dick Scobee
Francis Richard "Dick" Scobee (May 19, 1939 - January 28, 1986) was an American astronaut. He was flying as the commander of Space Shuttle Challenger when the shuttle exploded. In the explosion, Scobee and six other astronauts were killed.
Dick Scobee | |
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Born | Cle Elum, Washington, U.S. | May 19, 1939
Died | January 28, 1986 Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S. | (aged 46)
Resting place | Arlington National Cemetery |
Nationality | American |
Other names | Francis Richard Scobee |
Alma mater | San Antonio College University of Arizona, B.S. 1965 |
Occupation | Pilot |
Awards | |
Space career | |
NASA Astronaut | |
Rank | Lieutenant colonel, USAF |
Time in space | 6d 23h 40m |
Selection | 1978 NASA Group 8 |
Missions | STS-41-C, STS-51-L |
Mission insignia |
Scobee was selected for NASA's astronaut program in January 1978 and he completed his training in August 1979. In April 1984, Scobee piloted the Challenger mission STS-41-C, which successfully deployed one satellite and repaired another.
Challenger STS-51-L
He was elevated to the role of spacecraft commander for the STS-51-L mission (Challenger mission). The mission was designed to deploy a satellite to study the approaching Halley's Comet and to inaugurate the Teacher in Space Project. It was delayed several times due to bad weather and technical glitches. When they did the mission, an O-ring seal failure destroyed the shuttle 73 seconds into the flight, killing Scobee and the other six members of the crew; the tragedy was viewed live on national television and prompted several days of national mourning.
Personal life
Scobee is survived by his wife Virginia June Kent, and two children, Kathie R. (Scobee) Fulgham and Lieutenant General Richard W. Scobee, USAF.
Dick Scobee Media
June Scobee Rodgers at 2017 National Science Board awards ceremony.