About Us

Francis R. Scobee
Commander

Dick Scobee was selected as an astronaut candidate in January 1978, along with fellow Challenger crew members El Onizuka, Ron McNair, and Judy Resnik. After completing a one-year training and evaluation period, he qualified for future shuttle missions as a pilot.

His first mission was the April 1984 flight of the Challenger STS 41-C, launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Scobee was pilot and second in command. The mission saw the successful retrieval, on board repair and redeployment of the damaged Solar Maximum Satellite, as well as flight testing of the Manned Maneuvering Units. He also served an instructor pilot on the NASA/Boeing 747 shuttle carrier aircraft.

In an interview, Dick recalled that his fascination with airplanes began early. He said, "Ever since I was a little kid, I had been enamored of airplanes, and that's why I ended up working on them. They generally fascinated the heck out of me, and I'd never done any flying. I used to go out to the airport and watch them fly. I still like airplanes, and I still go to airports and do that."

Dick enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1957 after graduating high school. Stationed in Texas, he attended night school, earned two years of college credit, and was awarded a scholarship through the Airmen's Education and Commissioning Program.

He was graduated from the University of Arizona in 1965 with a degree in aerospace engineering, the same year he received his Air Force commission. After earning his wings in 1966, he received orders to duty in Vietnam the following year where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal.

Dick returned to the U.S., and attended the USAF Aerospace Research Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, California. He was later assigned to numerous programs as a test pilot. When the opportunity arose to apply for the astronaut corp, he signed up for it. He said, "When you find something you really like to do, and you're willing to risk the consequences of that, you really probably out to go do it." In 1984, NASA honored him with the Space Flight medal and two Distinguished Service awards.

Dick Scobee was born May 19, 1939, in Cle Elum, Washington, and was raised in Auburn, Washington. During his career, he logged more than 7,000 hours flying time in 45 types of aircraft. This total includes 168 hours in space.

In May of 2004, Dick Scobee was inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame.

He is survived by his wife, the former June Kent, and their children, Kathie Scobee Fulgham and Richard Scobee.

Additional Information

Read Dick Scobee's official NASA biography.