Beaufort, North Carolina: Memorial to Doomed Space Shuttle Astronaut
Michael J. Smith was born in Beaufort, and was the pilot of the Space Shuttle Challenger when it exploded in 1986. His voice was the last one heard on the Shuttle voice recorder, saying, "Uh-oh."
- Address:
- Front St., Beaufort, NC
- Directions:
- Between the parking lot and the boardwalk, on the south side of Front St., between Turner and Craven Sts. It's a simple granite monument, easily missed.
- Admission:
- Free
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There's nothing new or special about this, but it is worth getting out to look at and pay a respect to someone who gave their live to the nation's now more-or-less dead space program. It is especially worth it if you park in the parking lot near it.
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Michael Smith was born in Beaufort and grew up to be a Space Shuttle pilot -- unfortunately, the pilot of the Challenger when it blew up on Jan. 28, 1986. Some mistakenly believe that this is Smith's tombstone, but it isn't; it's only a memorial. He's buried in Arlington National Cemetery.