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Contact Info
Home Town Kealakekua, Kona, Hawaii
Date of Passing Jan 28, 1986
Location of Interment National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (VA) - Honolulu, Hawaii
He successfully flew into space with the Space Shuttle Discovery on STS-51-C, before losing his life in the destruction of the Space Shuttle Challenger, where he was serving as Mission Specialist for mission STS-51-L. He was the first Asian American to reach space.
Aircraft/Missile Information
Specifications (T-33A)
General characteristics
* Crew: Two * Length: 37 ft 9 in (11.2 m) * Wingspan: 38 ft 10.5 in (11.5 m) * Height: 11 ft 8 in (3.3 m) * Empty weight: 8,300 lb (3,775 kg) * Max takeoff weight: 15,100 lb (6,865 kg) * Powerplant: 1� Allison J33-A-35 centrifugal compressor turbojet, 5,400 lbf (23 kN)
Performance
* Maximum speed: 600 mph (970 km/h) * Range: 1,275 miles ferry (2,050 km) * Service ceiling 48,000 ft (14,600 m)
Armament
* (AT-33) 2x 0.50 in (12.7 mm) Browning M3 machine guns with 350 rounds per gun * Up to 2,000 lb (907 kg) of ordnance on two underwing hardpoints. Weapons carried include bombs and rocket pods.