Accomplished jazz saxophonist Ron McNair, the first astronaut to play a musical instrument in space, shown here playing the sax on the NASA STS 41-B mission aboard the Challenger, February 1984.

McNair was an accomplished saxophonist and jazz enthusiast. Before his last fateful space mission, McNair worked with French composer and performer Jean-Michel Jarre on a piece of music for …

Apr 30, 2025 · In this photo taken on Feb. 8, 1984, NASA astronaut Ronald E. McNair plays his saxophone while off-duty during the STS-41B mission. He and fellow crew members Vance D. …

Apr 30, 2025 · NASA astronaut Ronald E. McNair, known for his exceptional contributions to laser physics, took some time off from his official duties during the STS-41B mission to play his saxophone …

There had previously been a tiny harmonica on a Space Mission, but the first real instrument in Space was Ron McNair with a saxophone from Kurt Heisig Music. Kurt Heisig and Ron McNair worked on …

African American astronaut Ronald McNair playing his saxophone on flight of space shuttle Challenger IV.

Sep 15, 2025 · English: Mission specialist Ronald McNair, on Space Shuttle Mission 41-B, which launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, playing the saxophone. AIP Catalog ID: McNair …

May 23, 2025 · McNair, who was nationally recognized for his work in laser physics, was selected as an astronaut candidate

Mar 5, 2024 · S84-27211 (8 Feb 1984) — Astronaut Ronald E. McNair, 41-B mission specialist, uses some of his off-duty time, aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger, to play his saxaphone.

Nov 14, 2024 · From playing jazz sax in space to writing papers on the physics of Karate, Ronald McNair was one of the coolest men ever.