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30 Facts About Challenger Astronaut, Ronald McNair

Tim Flight December 28, 2019 20 min

Ronald McNair - Dr. Ronald McNair — McNair on board the Challenger, 1984. Berkeley

21. Before he become an astronaut, Dr. McNair had a successful academic career

Texas Southern University, where McNair was a visiting lecturer in physics. YouVisit

Aged 26, Dr. McNair had a new wife and a Ph.D. from one of the world’s most prestigious universities. But still, he wouldn’t rest on his laurels. He authored several academic papers, published his doctoral thesis, and lectured at various universities. He eventually settled for a job at Hughes Research Labs in Malibu, California. The laboratory is named after its founder, the legendary film director and pilot, Howard Hughes. Hughes in the 1970s was a veritable hotbed of scientific discovery and pioneering, and its jobs were much sought-after. At Hughes, Ronald continued his research, and specialized in chemical and high-pressure lasers.

Written by

Tim Flight

I am a freelance historical and literary writer based in West Yorkshire, UK. I read for a funded PhD in English at the University of Oxford (Magdalen College) and graduated in 2016. I am a former lecturer in Medieval English Literature at Royal Holloway, University of London. My publications include peer-reviewed articles in academic publications, and pieces in mainstream magazines such as History Today and Fortean Times. For more information, please see www.drflight.co.uk