Forty years later, and the state still searches for ways to honor a South Carolina native and astronaut who died in the Jan. 28,1986, Challenger space shuttle explosion.
Dr. Ronald McNair, born in Lake City and the second African American man in space, was commemorated with the title of “Palmetto Pioneer” Wednesday afternoon. Richland County School District One Superintendent Todd Walker announced the title at the school district’s Challenger Learning Center.
McNair’s name is tagged on museum exhibits, memorials and a doctoral study preparation program. He was one of seven people who lost their lives on a voyage to study Halley’s Comet and deploy a commercial communications satellite.
The nation watched the astronauts’ final moments together; eyes orbited television screens to get a good view of the space shuttle’s launch. One of the astronauts on the trek with McNair was Christa McAuliffe, who was the first and final participant selected for the Teacher in Space Program. Her selection drew in eyes across classrooms…