WHO WE HONOR
Our mission is to honor our nation’s fallen astronauts, who have given their lives for the space program, and to inspire the next generation, in their names.
Theodore C Freeman
October 31 1964
Born February 8, 1930 in Haverford, Pennsylvania. Theodore C. Freeman graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering and earned a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Michigan. Freeman and his wife, Faith Clark Freeman, have one daughter, Faith.
Captain Freeman was a flight test aeronautical engineer and a flight test instructor at the Air Force’s Aerospace Research Pilot School. He logged over 3,300 hours of flying time, including more than 2,400 hours in jet aircraft.
Freeman was one of the third group of astronauts selected by NASA in October 1963. He was piloting a T-38 aircraft when it crashed at Ellington Air Force Base.
Theodore C. Freeman made the ultimate sacrifice and lost his life in service to the nation and the space program on October 31, 1964 at 34 years of age.
Charles A. Bassett II
February 28 1966
Born December 30, 1931 in Dayton, Ohio. Charles A. Bassett graduated from Ohio State University and Texas Technological College receiving a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering. Bassett and his wife, Jean Martin Bassett, have two children, Karen and Peter.
Captain Bassett graduated from the Air Force Experimental Pilot School and became a test pilot. He ultimately logged over 3,600 hours of flying time, including over 2,900 hours in jet aircraft.
Bassett was chosen to be an astronaut in October 1963, and was named pilot for the Gemini 9 mission. During a routine T-38 flight from Ellington Air Force Base (Houston) to Lambert Field (St Louis) for rendezvous and docking simulator training at a McDonnell Aircraft’s facility, poor weather contributed to a tragic accident. Charles A. Bassett II made the ultimate sacrifice and lost his life in service to the nation and the space program on February 28, 1966 at 34 years of age.
Elliot M. See, Jr.
February 28 1966
Born July 23, 1927 in Dallas, Texas. Elliot M. See, Jr. received a bachelor of science degree from the U. S. Merchant Marine Academy and a master of science degree in engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles. See and his wife, Marilyn Denahy See, have three children, Sally, Carolyn and David.
Commander See served as a Naval Aviator from 1953 to 1956. He became a test pilot and logged over 3,900 hours of flying time, including 3,200 hours in jet aircraft.
Elliot See was one of nine pilot astronauts selected in September 1962. Following rigorous training he was named the command pilot for the Gemini 9 mission. During a routine T-38 flight from Ellington Air Force Base (Houston) to Lambert Field (St Louis) for rendezvous and docking simulator training at a McDonnell Aircraft’s facility, poor weather contributed to a tragic accident. Elliot M. See, Jr. made the ultimate sacrifice and lost his life in service to the nation and the space program on February 28, 1966 at 38 years of age.
In the book Fallen Astronauts, his older daughter Sally reflected on the memories of her dad: “I knew him as a child knows her father. He was fun-loving, smiled a lot, rode horses with his children on Saturday mornings, built a tree house for his kids, loved a television show called ‘Bonanza’, and was very principled. I wished for his smiling eyes, and I got them.”
Virgil “Gus” Grissom
January 27 1967
“If we die, we want people to accept it. We are in a risky business, and we hope that if anything happens to us it will not delay the program. The conquest of space is worth the risk of life.” — Virgil "Gus" Grissom
Born April 3, 1926 in Mitchell, Indiana. Virgil “Gus” Grissom earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University. Gus and his wife, Betty Moore Grissom, have two children, Scott and Mark.
While serving in the U. S. Air Force, Gus Grissom earned his pilot wings in March 1951. He flew 100 combat missions with the 334th Fighter Interceptor Squadron in Korea and earned both the Air Medal with Cluster and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Following graduation from test pilot school at Edwards AFB in California, Grissom served as a test pilot assigned to the fighter branch at Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio.
Lieutenant Colonel Grissom was one of the original seven Mercury astronauts selected by NASA in 1959. He piloted the “Liberty Bell 7” spacecraft, the second suborbital Mercury test flight on July 21, 1961. On March 23, 1965 Grissom served as command pilot on the first manned Gemini flight, a 3-orbit mission. He was then chosen to serve as command pilot for the first three-manned Apollo flight, Apollo 1.
During a countdown simulation in preparation for the scheduled launch of the Apollo 1 mission, a flash fire in the spacecraft claimed the lives of all three aboard.
Virgil “Gus” Grissom made the ultimate sacrifice and lost his life in service to the nation and the space program on January 27, 1967 at 40 years of age.
Edward H. White II
January 27 1967
Born November 14, 1930 in San Antonio, Texas. Edward H. White II received a bachelor’s degree from the U. S. Military Academy, a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Michigan, and an honorary doctorate in astronautics from the University of Michigan. Ed and his wife, Patricia Finegan White, have two children, Edward and Bonnie Lynn.
While serving in the Air Force, Ed White attended flight school and was assigned to the 22nd Fighter Day Squadron in Germany. Following his graduation from the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School he was assigned to the Aeronautical Systems Division at Wright-Patterson AFV in Ohio. During his career White logged more than 3,000 flight hours, including 2,200 hours in jets.
Lieutenant Colonel White was selected by NASA to become an astronaut in 1962. He was the pilot on Gemini 4, a 4-day mission that circled the earth 62 times. At that time Gemini 4 was the longest manned mission in space and Ed White was the first U.S. Astronaut to walk in space. He was also the first man to use jet propulsion to maneuver himself in space. He was subsequently selected to be the Command Module Pilot for Apollo 1.
During a countdown simulation in preparation for the scheduled launch of the Apollo 1 mission, a flash fire in the spacecraft claimed the lives of all three aboard.
Roger B. Chaffee
January 27 1967
Born February 15, 1935 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Roger B. Chaffee received a bachelor of science degree in aeronautical engineering from Purdue University. Roger and his wife, Martha Horn Chaffee, have two children, Sheryl and Stephen.
Lieutenant Commander Chaffee served as a pilot in the U. S. Navy, earning his wings in early 1959. He served as the safety officer and quality control officer for Heavy Photographic Squadron 62 at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, FL, flying the A3D-2P Skywarrior. Chaffee was officially recognized for his service during the Cuban Missile Crisis with VAP-62. He logged more than 2,300 hours flying time, including more than 2,000 hours in jet aircraft.
Roger Chaffee was among the third group of pilots to be selected by NASA in 1963 to become astronauts. He served as a capsule communicator for the Gemini 4 mission, during which Edward White III made his spacewalk. Following extensive training, Chaffee was selected to be one of the pilots on Apollo 1.
During a countdown simulation in preparation for the scheduled launch of the Apollo 1 mission, a flash fire in the spacecraft claimed the lives of all three aboard.
Roger B. Chaffee made the ultimate sacrifice and lost his life in service to the nation and the space program on January 27, 1967 at 31 years of age.
Clifton C. Williams Jr.
October 05 1967
Born September 26, 1932 in Mobile, Alabama. Clifton “C.C.” Williams, Jr., received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Auburn University. Williams and his wife, Beth Lansche Williams, have two children, Catherine and Jane Dee.
Williams, a Marine Corps Major, graduated from the Navy Test Pilot School in Maryland. He was a test pilot for three years and logged 2,500 hours of flying time, which included 2,100 hours in jet aircraft.
Major Williams was among the third group of astronauts selected by NASA in October 1963. He served as backup pilot for the Gemini 10 mission and worked in the areas of launch operations and crew safety. He was flying in a T-38 when it crashed.
Clifton C. Williams, Jr. made the ultimate sacrifice and lost his life in service to the national and the space program on October 5, 1967 at 35 years of age.
Michael J. Adams
November 15 1967
Born May 5, 1930 in Sacramento, California. Michael J. Adams received a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from Oklahoma University. Adams and his wife, Freida Adams, have three children, Michael, Jr., Brent and Liese.
Major Adams earned his pilot wings in the U.S. Air Force in 1952 and served as a fighter-bomber pilot during the Korean War. After graduating with honors from the Aerospace Research Pilot School he was chosen to participate in a five-month series of NASA moon landing practice tests.
In 1965 Adams was chosen for the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) program, which paved the way for America’s space shuttle program. He made seven flights in the X-15 attaining an altitude of 266,000 feet. On his final flight in the X-15, while descending, the aircraft went into a violent tailspin and crashed, ending Major Adams life.
Michael J. Adams made the ultimate sacrifice and lost his life in service to the nation and the space program on November 15, 1967 at 37 years of age.
Robert H. Lawrence Jr.
December 08 1967
Robert H. Lawrence, Jr. was born October 2, 1935 in Chicago, Illinois. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Bradley University at only 20 years of age and a Ph.D in physical chemistry from Ohio State University. Lawrence and his wife, Barbara Cress Lawrence, have one son, Tracey. Lawrence was the first African-American astronaut.
Major Robert Lawrence was an Air Force test pilot assigned to the Manned Orbiting Laboratory Program (MOL). The MOL Program was a predecessor of NASA’s Space Shuttle Program and the two programs eventually merged. The space agency cited Lawrence for accomplishments and flight maneuver data that "contributed greatly to the development of the space shuttle."
Lawrence logged more than 2,500 flight hours during his career. His Air Force honors included the Commendation Medal and the Outstanding Unit Citation.
Major Robert H. Lawrence, Jr. made the ultimate sacrifice and lost his life in service to the nation and the space program on December 8, 1967, in an F-104 Starfighter crash at Edwards Air Force Base, California.
Francis "Dick" Scobee
January 28 1986
Born May 19, 1939 in Cle Elum, Washington. Francis “Dick” Scobee earned his bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Arizona. Scobee and his wife, June Kent Scobee, have two children, Kathie and Richard.
Lt. Col. Scobee was a pilot in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal. He was a test pilot before being selected by NASA to become an astronaut in 1978. He was pilot of the Challenger STS 41-C in 1984, a mission that successfully retrieved, repaired and redeployed the damaged Solar Maximum Satellite.
Scobee was the commander of space shuttle Challenger STS 51-L, which broke apart one minute and 13 seconds after its launch.
Francis “Dick” Scobee made the ultimate sacrifice and lost his life in service to the nation and the space program on January 28, 1986 at 46 years of age.
Michael J. Smith
January 28 1986
Born April 30, 1945 in Beaufort, North Carolina. Michael J. Smith received a bachelor’s degree in Naval Science from the U. S. Naval Academy and a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. Smith and his wife, Jane Jarrell Smith, have three children, Scott, Allison and Erin.
Michael J. Smith served in Vietnam as a pilot in an attack squadron aboard the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk. Subsequently he became a Navy test pilot and was selected as an astronaut in 1980.
Captain Smith served as the pilot of space shuttle Challenger STS 51-L, which broke apart one minute and 13 seconds after its launch.
He was promoted posthumously to the rank of Navy Captain and had a chair named in his honor at the U.S. Navy Postgraduate School.
Michael J. Smith made the ultimate sacrifice and lost his life in service to the nation and the space program on January 28, 1986 at 40 years of age.
Judith A. Resnik
January 28 1986
Born April 15, 1949 in Akron, Ohio. Judith A. Resnik received a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from Carnegie-Mellon University and a doctorate in elecgtrical engineering from the University of Maryland.
Dr. Resnik was a design engineer, conducting support for NASA’s sounding rocket and telemetry programs, as well as a biomedical engineer in the Laboratory of Neurophysiology at the National Institute of Health.
Judith Resnik was chosen to be an astronaut and qualified as a mission specialist. Her first mission was the maiden voyage of Discovery, which completed 96 Earth orbits. She became the second American woman to go into space.
Dr. Resnik was selected to fly again on space shuttle Challenger mission STS 51-L, which broke apart one minute and 13 seconds after its launch.
Judith A. Resnik made the ultimate sacrifice and lost her life in service to the nation and the space program on January 28, 1986 at 36 years of age.
Ellison S. Onizuka
January 28 1986
Born June 24, 1946 in Kealakekua, Kona, Hawaii. Ellison S. Onizuka received both a bachelor of science degree and a master of science degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Colorado. Onizuka and his wife, Lorna Leike Onizuka, have two children, Janelle and Darien.
Colonel Onizuka, an Air Force test pilot, received the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air force Meritorious Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
After he was chosen to be an astronaut, he flew on Discovery 51-C, which was the first shuttle mission flown exclusively for the Department of Defense. His duties included deploying a Department of Defense satellite using the shuttle’s 50-foot remote arm.
Onizuka was asssigned as a mission specialist on space shuttle Challenger STS 51-L, which broke apart one minute and 13 seconds after its launch.
Ellison S. Onizuka made the ultimate sacrifice and lost his life in service to the nation and the space program on January 28, 1986 at 39 years of age.
Ronald E. McNair
January 28 1986
Born October 21, 1950, in Lake City, South Carolina. Ronald E. McNair received a bachelor’s degree in physics from North Carolina A&T State University and a Ph.D. in physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. McNair and his wife, Cheryl Moore McNair, have two children, Reginald and Joy.
Dr. McNair was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in 1978. He first flew as a mission specialist on STS 41-B in 1984, thereby becoming the second African American in space. He logged 191 hours flight time and was responsible for deploying one of the communication satellites for that mission.
Dr. McNair was assigned as a mission specialist on space shuttle Challenger STS 51-L, which broke apart one minute and 13 seconds after its launch.
Ronald E. McNair made the ultimate sacrifice and lost his life in service to the nation and the space program on January 28, 1986 at 35 years of age.
Gregory B. Jarvis
January 28 1986
Born August 24, 1944 in Detroit, Michigan. Gregory B. Jarvis received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Northeastern University. Jarvis is survived by his wife, Marcia Jarboe Jarvis.
Captain Jarvis left active duty with the Air Force to join Hughes Aircraft Company's Space and Communications group. Gregory Jarvis was chosen from over 600 engineering applicants at Hughes to become a payload specialist. He was assigned to fly on space shuttle Challenger STS 51-L, where his duties were to conduct fluid dynamics experiments that would have tested the reaction of satellite propellants to various shuttle maneuvers.
Jarvis was assigned as a payload specialist on space shuttle Challenger STS 51-L, which broke apart one minute and 13 seconds after its launch.
Gregory B. Jarvis made the ultimate sacrifice and lost his life in service to the nation and the space program on January 28, 1986 at 41 years of age.
S. Christa McAuliffe
January 28 1986
Born September 2, 1948 in Boston, Massachusetts. S. Christa McAuliffe received a bachelor of arts degree from Framingham State College and a master’s degree in education from Bowie State College. McAuliffe and her husband, Steve, have two children, Scott and Caroline.
Prior to her training as an astronaut, Christa McAuliffe taught courses in history, economics and law, plus a course she developed entitled “The American Woman” at Concord High School in New Hampshire.
Mrs. McAuliffe was chosen by NASA for the Teacher in Space project from over 11,000 teacher applicants. She was assigned as an astronaut to fly on the space shuttle Challenger STS 51-L mission, where she was to teach lessons from space via satellite to school children across the United States.
McAuliffe was selected to fly on space shuttle Challenger STS 51-L, which broke apart one minute and 13 seconds after its launch.
S. Christa McAuliffe made the ultimate sacrifice and lost her life in service to the nation and the space program on January 28, 1986 at 37 years of age.
Manley L. "Sonny" Carter, Jr.
April 5 1991
Born August 15, 1947, in Macon, Georgia, Manley Lanier “Sonny” Carter, Jr. received a bachelor of arts degree in chemistry and a doctorate of medicine (M.D.) from Emory University. While studying, he also played professional soccer with the Atlanta Chiefs. Carter and his wife, Dana Powell Carter, have two children: Olivia and Meredith.
Dr. Carter, a specialist in internal medicine became a flight surgeon in the Navy, earning the rank of Captain. He subsequently trained to become a pilot and was assigned to fly F-4 phantoms with Marine Fighter Attach Squadron 333. He received numerous medals for his work as a fighter pilot.
CAPT Carter was selected by NASA to be an astronaut and was qualified as a mission specialist. He logged 120 hours in space on STS-33, which included 79 orbits of the Earth.
He was chosen to fly on STS-42, the first International Microgravity Laboratory, which was to lift off in January 1992. However, while on official NASA business, Dr. Carter was in a plane that crashed and was destroyed.
NASA-Johnson Space Center named its Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory in 1995 in honor of Dr. Carter, who was instrumental in developing many of the current space-walking techniques used by astronauts.
Manley Lanier “Sonny” Carter, Jr. made the ultimate sacrifice, losing his life in-service to his nation and space program on April 5, 1991, at 43-years-old.
Rick D. Husband
February 1 2003
Born July 12, 1957 in Amarillo, Texas. Rick D. Husband received a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Texas Tech University and a master of science degree in mechanical engineering from California State University, Fresno. Husband and his wife, Evelyn, have two children, Matthew and Laura.
Colonel Husband was a test pilot in the Air Force. During his service he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Aerial Achievement Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
Husband flew on Discovery STS-96, which was a 10-day mission during which the crew performed the first docking with the International Space Station.
Colonel Husband was the commander on Columbia STS-107. The mission ended abruptly when space shuttle Columbia and its crew perished during entry, 16 minutes before its scheduled landing.
Rick D. Husband made the ultimate sacrifice and lost his life in service to the nation and the space program on February 1, 2003 at 45 years of age.
William C. McCool
February 1 2003
Born September 23, 1961 in San Diego, California. William C. McCool received a bachelor of science degree in applied science from the U. S. Naval Academy, a master of science degree in computer science from the University of Maryland and a master of science degree in aeronautical engineering from the U. S. Naval Postgraduate School. McCool and his wife, Lani, have three sons, Sean, Christopher and Cameron.
Commander McCool was a test pilot and was awarded two Navy Commendation Medals and two Navy Achievement Medals. He has over 2,800 hours flight experience in 24 aircraft.
As an astronaut William McCool was initially assigned to the Computer Support Branch and then served as Technical Assistant to the Director of Flight Crew Operations.
McCool served as the pilot on Columbia STS-107. The mission ended abruptly when space shuttle Columbia and its crew perished during entry, 16 minutes before its scheduled landing.
William C. McCool made the ultimate sacrifice and lost his life in service to the national and the space program on February 1, 2003 at 41 years of age.
Michael P. Anderson
February 1 2003
Born December 25, 1959 in Plattsburgh, New York, but considered Spokane, Washington to be his hometown. Michael P. Anderson received a bachelor of science degree in physics and astronomy from the University of Washington and a master of science degree in physics from Creighton University. Anderson and his wife, Sandra, have two children, Kaycee and Sydney.
Lieutenant Colonel Anderson was an instructor pilot and tactics officer in the U.S. Air Force. Anderson is the recipient of many awards and honors, some of which include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the USAF Meritorious Service Medal and the USAF Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster.
Michael Anderson became an astronaut in 1995 and qualified for flight crew assignment as a mission specialist. He flew on Endeavour STS-89, the eighth Shuttle Mir docking mission. He has logged over 593 hours in space.
Anderson served as a mission specialist on Columbia STS-107. The mission ended abruptly when space shuttle Columbia and its crew perished during entry, 16 minutes before its scheduled landing.
Michael P. Anderson made the ultimate sacrifice and lost his life in service to the national and the space program on February 1, 2003 at 43 years of age.
Kalpana Chawla
February 1 2003
Born July 1, 1961 in Karnal, India. Kalpana Chawla received a bachelor of science degree in aeronautical engineering from Punjab Engineering College, India, a master of science degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas, and a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from the University of Colorado. She is survived by her husband, J. P. Harrison.
Kalpana Chawla was the prime robotic arm operator on STS-87 in 1997, the fourth U. S. microgravity payload flight. STS-87 focused on how the weightless environment of space affects various physical processes.
In January 1998, Kalpana Chawla was assigned as crew representative for shuttle and station flight crew equipment, and subsequently served as lead for the Astronaut Office’s Crew Systems and Habitability section.
Chawla was the flight engineer and mission specialist on Columbia STS-107. The mission ended abruptly when space shuttle Columbia and its crew perished during entry, 16 minutes before its scheduled landing.
Kalpana Chawla made the ultimate sacrifice and lost her life in service to her nation and space program on February 1, 2003 at 41 years of age.
David M. Brown
February 1 2003
Born April 16, 1956 in Arlington, Virginia. David M. Brown received a bachelor of science degree in biology from the College of William and Mary and a doctorate in medicine from Eastern Virginia Medical School.
Captain Brown was a naval aviator and flight surgeon. He was named Operational Flight Surgeon of the Year in 1986. He is a recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal and Navy Achievement Medal. In 1988 he was the first flight surgeon in ten years to be chosen for pilot training. Brown served as President of the International Association of Military Flight Surgeon Pilots.
Brown was a mission specialist on Columbia STS-107. This was his first spaceflight. The mission ended abruptly when space shuttle Columbia and its crew perished during entry, 16 minutes before its scheduled landing.
David M. Brown the ultimate sacrifice and lost his life in service to the national and the space program on February 1, 2003 at 46 years of age
Laurel Clark
February 1 2003
Born on March 10, 1961 in Iowa, but considered Racine, Wisconsin to be her hometown. Laura Blair Salton Clark received a bachelor of science degree in zoology and a doctorate in medicine from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Clark and her husband, Jonathan have one child, Iain.
Dr. Clark was a commander (captain-select) in the U.S. Navy and a naval flight surgeon. She is the recipient of three Navy Commendation Medals, the National Defense Medal and the Overseas Service Ribbon.
Her military qualifications included Radiation Health Officer, Undersea Medical Officer, Diving Medial Officer, Submarine Medical Officer and Naval Flight Surgeon.
Dr. Clark was a mission specialist on Columbia STS-107. This was her first spaceflight. The mission ended abruptly when space shuttle Columbia and its crew perished during entry, 16 minutes before its scheduled landing.
Laura Blair Salton Clark made the ultimate sacrifice and lost her life in service to the national and the space program on February 1, 2003 at 41 years of age.
Ilan Ramon
FEBRUARY 1 2003
Born June 20, 1954 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Ilan Ramon received a bachelor of science degree in electronics and computer engineering from the University of Tel Aviv, Israel. Ramon and his wife, Rona, have four children, Asaf, Tal, David and Noaa.
Colonel Ramon was a fighter pilot and accumulated over 3,000 flight hours on the A-4, Mirage III-C, and F-4, and over 1,000 flight hours on the F-16. He fought in the Yom Kippur War in 1973 and Operation peace for Galilee (1982). From 1994-98 he served as Head of the Department of Operational Requirements for Weapons Development and Acquisition.
He was the first Israeli astronaut and the payload specialist on Columbia STS-107. He was the prime crew member for the Mediterranean Israeli Dust Experiment (MEIDEX). The mission ended abruptly when space shuttle Columbia and its crew perished during entry, 16 minutes before its scheduled landing.
Ilan Ramon made the ultimate sacrifice and lost his life in service to the space program on February 1, 2003 at 48 years of age.
Michael T. Alsbury
October 31 2014
Born March 19, 1975, in Scotts Valley, California. Michael T. Alsbury received a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.
Mike and his wife, Michelle, have two children, Ainsley and Liam. Mike worked as an engineer and test pilot for many experimental aircraft configurations including the Proteus high-altitude aircraft, the White Knight carrier aircraft, the ARES low cost battlefield attack aircraft demonstrator, the Old School optionally piloted prototype, and the WhiteKnightTwo carrier aircraft. Mike also supported testing and development of the SpaceShipOne spacecraft. He was a member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP), and in 2013 won the Tenhoff Award for most outstanding technical paper presented at the annual SETP symposium. In 2014, Mike was on the team that was awarded the Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems President’s Award for exceptional performance and achievement in innovation. He logged more than 2,000 hours as pilot in command during his 16 years of flight experience.
Mike was the copilot of the SpaceShipTwo Enterprise, which was engaged in developmental flight tests of a nylon/nitrous-oxide hybrid rocket motor system. This flight was to be a final stepping stone in the SpaceShipTwo experimental development program prior to commercial spaceflight operations.
On October 31, 2014, at 39 years of age, Michael T. Alsbury made the ultimate sacrifice and lost his life in pursuit of making real the dream of space-travel for all humankind.
