Michael John Smith (April 30, 1945 – January 28, 1986), (Capt, USN), American engineer and astronaut. He served as the pilot of the Space Shuttle Challenger when it was destroyed during the STS-51-L mission, when it broke up 73 seconds into the flight, and at an altitude of 48,000 feet ( km), killing all 7 crew members. Smith's voice was the last one heard on the Challenger voice recorder. He was a Master of Science who held a degree in Aeronautical Engineering.

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