Former SC Astronaut Ronald McNair honored at Challenger Center

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– In 1986, space shuttle Challenger broke apart 73 seconds into its flight killing all seven crew members.

Among those on board was Lake City, South Carolina native Astronaut Ronald McNair.

Holding a doctorate in physics from MIT, McNair was only the second African American  astronaut to go into space.

State Superintendent Ellen Weaver honored him on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, at the Challenger Center in Columbia.

You can learn more about McNair and the other Challenger astronauts at the Challenger Center located on Barhamville Road.