Biography

Judith A. Resnik

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Born
April 5, 1949 · Akron, Ohio, USA
Died
January 28, 1986 · over Atlantic Ocean (Space Shuttle Challenger explosion)
Birth name
Judith Arlene Resnik
Nickname
- J.R.
Height
5′ 4″ (1.63 m)

Judith A. Resnik was born on April 5, 1949 in Akron, Ohio, USA. She was married to Michael Oldak. She died on January 28, 1986 in over Atlantic Ocean.

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986) is dedicated to her memory (the movie was filmed between February-May, 1986) as well the rest of Challenger crew died in the disaster (Gregory Jarvis, Christa McAuliffe, Ron McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Francis 'Dick' Scobee and Michael J. Smith).
Classically trained pianist who, as a young woman, briefly considered a career in music.
In October of 2024, the Akron Board of Education approved a plan to place a rocketship memorial plus bronze statues of Resnik and Jean Hixson in front of the Resnik Community Learning Center.
Multiple educational facilities are named in honor of astronaut Judith A. Resnik, including Judith A. Resnik Elementary School in Gaithersburg (Maryland), the Judith A. Resnik Community Learning Center in Akron (Ohio), and Judith A. Resnik Middle School near San Antonio (Texas). Carnegie Mellon University-Resnik's alma mater-also commemorates her with Resnik House, a residence hall, and a memorial plaque at the base of Hamerschlag Hall.
Her name appears on numerous public memorials and landmarks across the United States, including Judith Resnik Memorial Park at Melbourne Beach (Florida), the Challenger Seven Memorial Park near Houston (Texas), and the Challenger Crew Monument in Seabrook (Texas). Several roadways also bear her name, such as Judith Resnik Drive in El Paso (Texas), Judith Resnik Court in Las Vegas (Nevada), and Judith Resnik Avenue in Sacramento (California).

I would be glad to be the first woman in space, but I would be glad if any of the other five, other than me, would be the first woman also.
I think something is only dangerous if you are not prepared for it or if you don't have control over it or if you can't think through how to get yourself out of a problem.
I want to do everything there is to be done.
Astronauts don't have to be either very feminine or very masculine women, or very superhuman males, or any color or anything. It's about people in space.
Study hard in school -- it's really worth it! When you're older, you'll be able to do anything you want if you get a good education.

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