Ronald E. Mcnair Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles
RONALD E. McNAIR
Born: October 12, 1950 in Lake City, South Carolina
Died: January 28, 1986 in Cape Canaveral, Florida
Died: January 28, 1986 in Cape Canaveral, Florida
RONALD E. MCNAIR (PH.D.)
NASA ASTRONAUT (Deceased)
PERSONAL DATA: Born October 21, 1950, in Lake City, South Carolina. Died January 28, 1986. He is survived by his wife Cheryl, and two children. He was a 5th degree black belt Karate instructor and a performing jazz saxophonist. He also enjoyed running, boxing, football, playing cards, and cooking.
EDUCATION: Graduated from Carver High School, Lake City, South Carolina, in 1967; received a bachelor of science degree in Physics from North Carolina A&T State University in 1971 and a doctor of philosophy in Physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1976; presented an honorary doctorate of Laws from North Carolina A&T State University in 1978, an honorary doctorate of Science from Morris College in 1980, and an honorary doctorate of science from the University of South Carolina in 1984.
ORGANIZATIONS: Member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Optical Society, the American Physical Society (APS), the APS Committee on Minorities in Physics, the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics Board of Trustees, the MIT Corporation Visiting Committee, Omega Psi Phi, and a visiting lecturer in Physics at Texas Southern University.
AWARDS: Posthumously awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.
SPECIAL HONORS: Graduated magna cum laude from North Carolina A&T (1971); named a Presidential Scholar (1967-1971), a Ford Foundation Fellow (1971-1974), a National Fellowship Fund Fellow (1974-1975), a NATO Fellow (1975); winner of Omega Psi Phi Scholar of the Year Award (1975), Los Angeles Public School Systems Service Commendation (1979), Distinguished Alumni Award (1979), National Society of Black Professional Engineers Distinguished National Scientist Award (1979), Friend of Freedom Award (1981), Whos Who Among Black Americans (1980), an AAU Karate Gold Medal (1976), five Regional Blackbelt Karate Championships, and numerous proclamations and achievement awards.
EXPERIENCE: While at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dr. McNair performed some of the earliest development of chemical HF/DF and high-pressure CO lasers. His later experiments and theoretical analysis on the interaction of intense CO2 laser radiation with molecular gases provided new understandings and applications for highly excited polyatomic molecules.
In 1975, he studied laser physics with many authorities in the field at Ecole Dete Theorique de Physique, Les Houches, France. He published several papers in the areas of lasers and molecular spectroscopy and gave many presentations in the United States and abroad.
Following graduation from MIT in 1976, he became a staff physicist with Hughes Research Laboratories in Malibu, California. His assignments included the development of lasers for isotope separation and photochemistry utilizing non-linear interactions in low-temperature liquids and optical pumping techniques. He also conducted research on electro-optic laser modulation for satellite-to-satellite space communications, the construction of ultra-fast infrared detectors, ultraviolet atmospheric remote sensing, and the scientific foundations of the martial arts.
NASA EXPERIENCE: Selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in January 1978, he completed a 1-year training and evaluation period in August 1979, qualifying him for assignment as a mission specialist astronaut on Space Shuttle flight crews.
He first flew as a mission specialist on STS 41-B which launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on February 3, 1984. The crew included spacecraft commander, Mr. Vance Brand, the pilot, Commander Robert L. Gibson, and fellow mission specialists, Captain Bruce McCandless II, and Lt. Col. Robert L. Stewart. The flight accomplished the proper shuttle deployment of two Hughes 376 communications satellites, as well as the flight testing of rendezvous sensors and computer programs. This mission marked the first flight of the Manned Maneuvering Unit and the first use of the Canadian arm (operated by McNair) to position EVA crewman around Challengers payload bay. Included were the German SPAS-01 Satellite, acoustic levitation and chemical separation experiments, the Cinema 360 motion picture filming, five Getaway Specials, and numerous mid-deck experiments -- all of which Dr. McNair assumed primary responsibility. Challenger culminated in the first landing on the runway at Kennedy Space Center on February 11, 1984. With the completion of this flight, he logged a total of 191 hours in space.
Dr. McNair was assigned as a mission specialist on STS 51-L. Dr. McNair died on January 28, 1986 when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded after launch from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, also taking the lives of the spacecraft commander, Mr. F.R. Scobee, the pilot, Commander M.J. Smith (USN), mission specialists, Lieutenant Colonel E.S. Onizuka (USAF), and Dr. J.A. Resnik, and two civilian payload specialists, Mr. G.B. Jarvis and Mrs. S. C. McAuliffe.
NASA ASTRONAUT (Deceased)
PERSONAL DATA: Born October 21, 1950, in Lake City, South Carolina. Died January 28, 1986. He is survived by his wife Cheryl, and two children. He was a 5th degree black belt Karate instructor and a performing jazz saxophonist. He also enjoyed running, boxing, football, playing cards, and cooking.
EDUCATION: Graduated from Carver High School, Lake City, South Carolina, in 1967; received a bachelor of science degree in Physics from North Carolina A&T State University in 1971 and a doctor of philosophy in Physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1976; presented an honorary doctorate of Laws from North Carolina A&T State University in 1978, an honorary doctorate of Science from Morris College in 1980, and an honorary doctorate of science from the University of South Carolina in 1984.
ORGANIZATIONS: Member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Optical Society, the American Physical Society (APS), the APS Committee on Minorities in Physics, the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics Board of Trustees, the MIT Corporation Visiting Committee, Omega Psi Phi, and a visiting lecturer in Physics at Texas Southern University.
AWARDS: Posthumously awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.
SPECIAL HONORS: Graduated magna cum laude from North Carolina A&T (1971); named a Presidential Scholar (1967-1971), a Ford Foundation Fellow (1971-1974), a National Fellowship Fund Fellow (1974-1975), a NATO Fellow (1975); winner of Omega Psi Phi Scholar of the Year Award (1975), Los Angeles Public School Systems Service Commendation (1979), Distinguished Alumni Award (1979), National Society of Black Professional Engineers Distinguished National Scientist Award (1979), Friend of Freedom Award (1981), Whos Who Among Black Americans (1980), an AAU Karate Gold Medal (1976), five Regional Blackbelt Karate Championships, and numerous proclamations and achievement awards.
EXPERIENCE: While at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dr. McNair performed some of the earliest development of chemical HF/DF and high-pressure CO lasers. His later experiments and theoretical analysis on the interaction of intense CO2 laser radiation with molecular gases provided new understandings and applications for highly excited polyatomic molecules.
In 1975, he studied laser physics with many authorities in the field at Ecole Dete Theorique de Physique, Les Houches, France. He published several papers in the areas of lasers and molecular spectroscopy and gave many presentations in the United States and abroad.
Following graduation from MIT in 1976, he became a staff physicist with Hughes Research Laboratories in Malibu, California. His assignments included the development of lasers for isotope separation and photochemistry utilizing non-linear interactions in low-temperature liquids and optical pumping techniques. He also conducted research on electro-optic laser modulation for satellite-to-satellite space communications, the construction of ultra-fast infrared detectors, ultraviolet atmospheric remote sensing, and the scientific foundations of the martial arts.
NASA EXPERIENCE: Selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in January 1978, he completed a 1-year training and evaluation period in August 1979, qualifying him for assignment as a mission specialist astronaut on Space Shuttle flight crews.
He first flew as a mission specialist on STS 41-B which launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on February 3, 1984. The crew included spacecraft commander, Mr. Vance Brand, the pilot, Commander Robert L. Gibson, and fellow mission specialists, Captain Bruce McCandless II, and Lt. Col. Robert L. Stewart. The flight accomplished the proper shuttle deployment of two Hughes 376 communications satellites, as well as the flight testing of rendezvous sensors and computer programs. This mission marked the first flight of the Manned Maneuvering Unit and the first use of the Canadian arm (operated by McNair) to position EVA crewman around Challengers payload bay. Included were the German SPAS-01 Satellite, acoustic levitation and chemical separation experiments, the Cinema 360 motion picture filming, five Getaway Specials, and numerous mid-deck experiments -- all of which Dr. McNair assumed primary responsibility. Challenger culminated in the first landing on the runway at Kennedy Space Center on February 11, 1984. With the completion of this flight, he logged a total of 191 hours in space.
Dr. McNair was assigned as a mission specialist on STS 51-L. Dr. McNair died on January 28, 1986 when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded after launch from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, also taking the lives of the spacecraft commander, Mr. F.R. Scobee, the pilot, Commander M.J. Smith (USN), mission specialists, Lieutenant Colonel E.S. Onizuka (USAF), and Dr. J.A. Resnik, and two civilian payload specialists, Mr. G.B. Jarvis and Mrs. S. C. McAuliffe.
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RONALD E. McNAIR The astronaut who lost his life in the Challenger explosion signs this piece of paper in black felt tip Signature: "Ronald E. McNair/ NASA Astronaut" 4x3. Physicist Ronald E. McNair (1950-1986) was selected as an astronaut in January 1978. read more...Sale Price $357.00
$420.00
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RONALD E. McNAIR Striking matted display of the physicist and astronaut killed when the Challenger exploded shortly after liftoff in 1986 Signature: "R McNair" 3¼x¼. Slightly soiled. Otherwise, fine condition. Accompanied by photocopied newspaper page, unsigned, 9¼x13¾. read more...Sale Price $637.50
$750.00
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RONALD E. McNAIR He sends an autograph letter answering an admirer's questions Autograph Letter Signed: "Dr. Ron McNair" 1p, 8½x11. No place, no date but probably 1978. read more...Sale Price $3,527.50
$4,150.00
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RONALD E. McNAIR The astronaut who perished in the Challenger explosion signs this envelope honoring the Space Shuttle Commemorative Envelope signed: "Ron McNair" 6½x3½. Cover honoring the Space Shuttle, 15¢ stamp affixed read more...Sale Price $255.00
$300.00
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RONALD E. McNAIR He signs this commemorative envelope depicting the first space shuttle orbiter Columbia Commemorative Envelope signed: "Dr. Ronald E. McNair - Astronaut", 6½x3½. Depicting the first space shuttle orbiter Columbia read more...Sale Price $765.00
$900.00
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RONALD E. McNAIR He signs this commemorative envelope honoring Space Shuttle Orbiter 101 and 747 Mated Commemorative Envelope signed: "Dr. Ronald E. McNair" 6½x3½. Commemorative Cover honoring "Space Shuttle Orbiter 101 and 747 Mated". read more...Sale Price $374.00
$440.00
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The astronaut signed this envelope commemorating the arrival of the Orbiter Enterprise at the Marshall Space Flight Center. McNair was a crewmember killed on the Challenger January 28, 1986. Items with his signature are rare. read more...Sale Price $446.25
$525.00
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RONALD E. McNAIR He signs this envelope commemorating the first static firing Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster Commemorative Envelope signed: "Ron McNair" 6½x3½. Cover commemorating the First Static Firing Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster, 13¢ stamp affixed. read more...Sale Price $374.00
$440.00
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RONALD E. McNAIR He signs this envelope commemorating the Space Shuttle Commemorative Envelope signed: "Ron McNair", 6½x3½. Cover commemorating the Space Shuttle, 15¢ stamp affixed. Postmarked Palmdale, California, February 23, 1979. read more...Sale Price $374.00
$440.00
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All three astronauts sign this envelope honoring the Space Shuttle Columbia, postmarked on the 10th anniversary of the first manned landing on the moon read more...Sale Price $680.00
$800.00
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SPACE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER: RONALD E. McNAIR and TERRY J. HART Both space travelers sign this Space Shuttle commemorative envelope Commemorative Envelope signed: "Ron McNair" and "Terry J. Hart" 6½x3½. read more...Sale Price $374.00
$440.00
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RONALD E. McNAIR He signs this envelope with a drawn Space Shuttle Envelope signed: "Ron McNair", 6½x3½. Postmarked Kennedy Space Center, Florida, November 12, 1981. Physicist Ronald E. McNair (1950-1986) was selected as an astronaut in January 1978. read more...Sale Price $374.00
$440.00
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RONALD E. McNAIR He signs this first day cover honoring the 18¢ "Probing the Planets" space stamp First Day Cover signed: "Dr. Ronald E. McNair" 6½x3½. First day cover honoring the "Probing the Planets" space stamp. read more...Sale Price $531.25
$625.00
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RONALD E. McNAIR He signs this first day cover honoring the "Viking missions to Mars" First Day Cover signed: "Ron McNair/ Shuttle Astronaut" 6½x3½. First Day Cover honoring "Viking missions to Mars". Postmarked Hampton, Virginia, July 20, 1978. read more...Sale Price $374.00
$440.00
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RONALD E. McNAIR He signs an official NASA publicity photograph of himself smiling in his space uniform Printed Photograph signed in Ink: "Ronald E. McNair". Color, 8x10 overall, image 7½x9½ (one surface). Name imprinted at bottom margin. Official NASA photograph. read more...Sale Price $807.50
$950.00
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RONALD McNAIR and OTHERS Testing the shuttle in 1979. Special Cover signed: "Ron McNair", "Jack Lousma", "Michael S. Coats" and "Karol J. Bobko", 6½x3½. Postmarked at the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, July 19, 1979. read more...Sale Price $467.50
$550.00
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SPACE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER STS-11 CREW: ROBERT L. "BOB" STEWART, RONALD E. McNAIR, BRUCE McCANDLESS II, VANCE BRAND and ROBERT L. "HOOT" GIBSON read more...Sale Price $467.50
$550.00
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SPACE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER 41B CREW: RONALD McNAIR, BRUCE McCANDLESS II, VANCE BRAND, ROBERT L. "HOOT" GIBSON and ROBERT L. "BOB" read more...Sale Price $531.25
$625.00
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CHALLENGER STS-11/41B CREW: BRUCE McCANDLESS II, RONALD E. McNAIR, ROBERT L. "BOB" STEWART, VANCE BRAND and ROBERT L. "HOOT" GIBSON All five crewmembers sign an envelope postmarked on the day their mission launched Commemorative Envelope signed: "Vance Brand", "Robert L. read more...Sale Price $552.50
$650.00
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CHALLENGER STS-11/41B CREW: ROBERT L. "BOB" STEWART, RONALD E. McNAIR, BRUCE McCANDLESS II, VANCE BRAND and ROBERT L. GIBSON Official NASA photo of the crew of read more...Sale Price $467.50
$550.00
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CHALLENGER STS-11/41B CREW: ROBERT L. "BOB" STEWART, RONALD E. McNAIR, BRUCE McCANDLESS II, VANCE BRAND and ROBERT L. GIBSON Signed by the five members of the read more...Sale Price $616.25
$725.00
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Official NASA photograph of the crew of the ill-fated Challenger mission STS-51L. Challenger exploded in midair on January 28, 1986, making it the deadliest accident in NASA history until the destruction of the Columbia in 2003. This rare photograph contains the signatures of all seven crewmembers of STS-51L, who are shown in flight suits and holding their helmets. All seven people in this photo perished in the Challenger disaster read more...Sale Price $21,000.00
$30,000.00
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This official NASA photograph is a crew photo of the ill-fated Challenger mission STS-51L, which exploded in midair on Jan. 28, 1986 and was the deadliest accident in NASA history until the destruction of the Columbia in 2003. This rare photograph contains the signatures of all seven crew members of STS-51L, who are shown in flight suits and holding their helmets. All seven people in this photo died in the Challenger disaster. Accompanied by unsigned Spaceport USA permit, commemorative envelope and patch, all honoring the Challenger mission. 4 items. read more...Sale Price $27,000.00
$30,000.00
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Rare collection of all 7 crew members from the tragic accident, framed in the Gallery of History style to 34x24. All except Jarvis have signed on envelopes postmarked the day they died! read more...Sale Price $10,800.00
$12,000.00
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CHALLENGER STS-51L CREW: FRANCIS R. "DICK" SCOBEE, MICHAEL J. SMITH, RONALD E. "RON" McNAIR, ELLISON S. "EL" ONIZUKA, JUDITH A. "JUDY" RESNIK, GREG JARVIS and CHRISTA McAULIFFE The crew signed these First Day Covers, which were postmarked the day they died. read more...Sale Price $10,800.00
$12,000.00
