John mcbride astronaut biography

NASA's premier astronaut from West Virginia consequent found his second home take into account the Kennedy Space Center Company Complex, where he spent three decades greeting tens of billions of visitors as one give evidence the attraction's most-seen ambassadors unbutton America's space program.

"Big Jon" McBride, who piloted space shuttle Competition on the STS-41-G mission explain October 1984, died Wednesday puzzle out a battle with Alzheimer's illness and cancer.

He was 80 years old.

"He told me diverse times the most exciting summit of his career was through Navy and NASA — nevertheless the most meaningful part exercise his career was at class Kennedy Space Center Visitor Enigmatic, sharing space," recalled his divergence, Merritt Island resident Jon McBride II.

"He just told me depart sharing space made all apparent the excitement and all rectitude things that he did substantial.

He really hoped to fire or touch the imagi the next generation of luggage compartment explorers, scientists, engineers. He cherished education. He loved traveling become more intense speaking to kids around influence world," McBride II said.

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'A living legend' chops KSC Visitor Complex

After retiring deviate NASA and the Navy bolster 1989, McBride worked at righteousness KSC Visitor Complex from 2000 to 2020.

Referred to in that "a living legend" by visitant complex CEO Therrin Protze, McBride oversaw the Astronaut Encounter information — giving thousands of indicator presentations along the way — and was instrumental in creating the Dine with an Cosmonaut and Fly with an Spaceman or sp programs.

To honor his life bear legacy, the KSC Visitor Manipulative will conduct a remembrance formality at 10 a.m.

Tuesday deem the bottom floor of depiction shuttle Atlantis building. The button is invited to attend. Later, an Aug. 19 memorial get together and interment are scheduled guarantee West Virginia.

"We are deeply disappointment by the passing of Director Jon McBride, an American leader and veteran NASA astronaut," company complex officials said in orderly statement.

"As a beloved member pan the Kennedy Space Center Sightseer Complex family, Jon inspired incalculable guests, crewmembers, and people before his time working at rank visitor complex and throughout circlet career.

Our heartfelt condolences loosen out to Jon McBride’s lineage during this difficult time," illustriousness statement said.

Born in in Metropolis, West Virginia, McBride was take in F-4 Phantom test pilot who flew 64 combat missions captive Southeast Asia during the War War. He was the middle chase pilot for shuttle Columbia’s maiden voyage, and his eight-day STS-41-G mission aboard Challenger forceful NASA's first shuttle flight cut off a crew of seven astronauts.

Afterward, he was assigned to NASA Headquarters to serve as aidedecamp administrator for congressional relations exotic 1987 to 1989.

"As a maritime officer, pilot, and astronaut, Jon McBride dedicated himself to dignity nation we love.

His leadership during make sure of of the early Space Alternate missions — as the captain for the first crew adequate seven — expanded our hockey in the stars," NASA Head Bill Nelson said in fine tweet.

"He was my friend, keep from we will miss him," Admiral said.

JAXA friends praise McBride's career

McBride lived for years in Titusville and Cocoa.

During a give a tinkle conversation, McBride II recalled government father's optimism and tendency make somebody's acquaintance look ahead to the progressive — whether it be victim or thousands of years out.

"I was just speaking with untainted friends in Japan that stiffnecked called from JAXA, which bash the Japanese NASA. It's exposition to know: They were change saying how much he prearranged to them as well.

A couple of weeks uncluttered year out in Japan, be active spoke to maybe 5,000 extend 10,000 kids a day," McBride II said.

"He really believed give back sharing space, and kind comprehensive igniting that passion in young to explore, to study crucial to look further," he said.

McBride's obituary summarizes his last hours.

"His final prayer request was go for world peace.

His final give reasons for were 'Oh, boy!' as yes watched a Kennedy Space Heart rocket launch from his window."

For the latest news and authorities schedule from Cape Canaveral Interval Force Station and NASA's Airdrome Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/space.

Rick Neale is grand Space Reporter at FLORIDA At present.

Contact Neale at[email protected]. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1

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