Former NASA astronaut Jon McBride has died

Jon McBride in 2017.Photo byNASA/Kim Shiflett/Wikimedia Commons

Jon McBride flew to space as a NASA astronaut and was a high-ranking officer in the United States Navy. He passed away on August 7, 2024.

McBride had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and an unspecified form of cancer. Among those to pay tribute to him has been current NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. "He was my friend, and we will miss him," Nelson said in part.

McBride was a native of Charleston, West Virginia. He graduated from high school in nearby Beckley, followed by West Virginia University. After earning an aeronautical engineering degree, McBride joined the U.S. Navy and began undergoing flight training. He also received further education from the Naval Postgraduate School and Pepperdine University.

Eventually, McBride was deployed to serve in the Vietnam War as an F-4 Phantom II pilot. He later worked on the Sidewinder missile project and was assigned to the VX-4 test pilot squadron before being chosen for NASA.

Among Jon McBride's early duties with NASA was serving as the lead chase pilot during the Space Shuttle Columbia's maiden voyage. In 1984, he ventured into outer space aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger with a crew that included iconic astronaut Sally Ride. The mission lasted for a little over a week's time, with the crew performaing various experiments along the way.

McBride was slated to be Commander of a mission aboard the Columbia in 1986. But that flight would be canceled following the Challenger disaster took place early that year. He was moved to an assistant administrator's role at NASA specializing in coordinating with Congress.

Later, McBride was selected to command another Columbia flight, but he chose to retire from NASA and the U.S. Navy instead. Decorations he received during his career included the Legion of Merit, the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Air Medal.

In 1996, McBride was a candidate for the Republican nomination for Governor of West Virginia. He came up short to ex-Governor Cecil H. Underwood, who went on to win the general election.