The first black astronaut

[AquaShrimp]

I was reading about famous people who have died in plane crashes, and I came across one mentioned the first black astronaut, Robert Lawrence.  He graduated high school at 16, college at 20, went on to become an instructor pilot *and* earn a PhD in Chemistry.  Six months after being selected for astronaut training, he was killed when in a F-104 crash.  He was letting a student pilot perform a steep descent glide, mimicking the landing of a gliding spacecraft.  The student flared too late, the plane smashed into the ground, and Lawrence ejected into the ground.

Interesting bit of history there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Henry_Lawrence,_Jr.

[ramzey]

With all respect, how can he be astronaut if he never was in space?

[DiabloTX]

Read "Deke!" by Deke Slayton to get more inside details about this.  There were better black candidates than Lawrence, they just decided not to submit applications.

[Dago]

I am glad when I learned to fly my instructor didn't allow me to do anything that would kill us.

[FrodeMk3]

I am glad when I learned to fly my instructor didn't allow me to do anything that would kill us.

Reading the Wiki article, this looked like he was instructing a pilot on advanced techniques used for re-entry, I.E. such as landing the X-15 or the Space Shuttle. I doubt that the pilot he was training wasn't someone who already wasn't an accomplished pilot.

[BnZ]

He died in a quest that will ultimately prove more inspiring and meaningful than all the wars in history.
 

[Hangtime]

Kleine Opfer müssen gebracht werden!

[Masherbrum]

First Black man in space was a Cuban on Soyuz 38.   

[BnZ]

Kleine Opfer müssen gebracht werden!

"Small victims must be brought!"  Really?

[Hangtime]

"Small Sacrifices must be made." Last words of the first man to fly.. a guy that spent his fortune and eventually his life in advancing aviation. Otto Lilienthal. It became the unofficial motto of test pilots... usually uttered with a wry smile before committing aviation in dangerous and unfavorable circumstances.

[BnZ]

I know...I just thought that was one of babels more memorable misfires. 

[442w30]

"Small Sacrifices must be made." Last words of the first man to fly.. a guy that spent his fortune and eventually his life in advancing aviation. Otto Lilienthal. It became the unofficial motto of test pilots... usually uttered with a wry smile before committing aviation in dangerous and unfavorable circumstances.

So while I was studying Political Science, some of you guys were studying aircraft and flying. Explains why I am an awful AH pilot.     Just ask BnZ...  he gets a little frustrated with my flying skills and judgment.

Good story btw. 

[AquaShrimp]

Read "Deke!" by Deke Slayton to get more inside details about this.  There were better black candidates than Lawrence, they just decided not to submit applications.

You'd be hard-pressed to find a better candidate than a test pilot who has a PhD.

[mg1942]

First Black man in space was a Cuban on Soyuz 38.   

[BnZ]

The first DEAD man in space was also the result of a Communist space program...

Can't just be a man doing his job with some people can it? Gotta pander and pot-stir.