Judith Resnik

Judith Arlene Resnik (April 5, 1949 – January 28, 1986) was an American engineer, pilot and NASA astronaut. She died when the Space Shuttle Challenger was destroyed during the launch of mission STS-51-L. She was also aboard Space Shuttle Discovery for its first mission, STS-41-D in 1984. She spent 145 hours in space. She was the first Jewish American in space and the first Jewish woman in space.

Judith Resnik
Resnik in September 1978
Born	(1949-04-05)April 5, 1949 Akron, Ohio, U.S.
Status	Killed during mission
Died	January 28, 1986(1986-01-28) (aged 36) Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Engineer
Awards
Space career
NASA astronaut
Time in space	6d 00h 56m
Selection	1978 NASA Group
Missions	STS-41-D, STS-51-L
Mission insignia

Resnik was born in Akron, Ohio. Her family was Jewish. She earned degrees at Carnegie Mellon University (B.S.) and the University of Maryland (Ph.D.). She was married to Michael Oldak from 1970 until their divorce in 1975.

On January 28, 1986, Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart 73 seconds after launch. Resnik and all six others aboard died.

Judith Resnik Media

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  • * Scope and content: The original finding aid described this as:Capture Date: 6/12/1979*Photographer: JACK DARGINSKY*Keywords: Larsen Scan Location Building No: 0
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  Resnik poses with the rest of the Space Shuttle Discovery crew during the STS-41-D mission.

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  Resnik on the middeck of Space Shuttle Discovery during the STS-41-D mission, with an "I love Tom Selleck" sticker on her locker. A handwritten card reads: "Hi Dad".

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  Resnik's flight suit on display at the Johnson Space Center

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  Amy Resnik, wife of Charles Resnik, touches the Space Shuttle Challenger Memorial after a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery as part of NASA's Day of Remembrance.

Other websites

• Judith Resnik NASA biography