Captain Jon McBride, a space shuttle pilot who as a retired NASA astronaut helped develop and then oversaw Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex’s astronaut programs, passed away Aug. 7 at the age of 80 after a long illness. McBride’s legacy was celebrated on Aug. 13 at the visitor complex with a ceremony in Space Shuttle Atlantis®, seen in a news story about McBride, here.
From 2000-2020, McBride worked as both an astronaut contractor and team member at the visitor complex, which Delaware North has operated for NASA since 1995. He was the backbone of the Astronaut Encounter program and was instrumental in creating Dine With An Astronaut, which debuted in 2002. McBride later pioneered the Fly With An Astronaut program.
McBride left his mark through thousands of Astronaut Encounter presentations and as the voice of the shuttle landing video in Space Shuttle Atlantis. He also frequently served as a media spokesperson for the visitor complex.
“Jon McBride was an American hero and a living legend,” said Therrin Protze, chief operating officer of the visitor complex for Delaware North. “As a beloved member of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex family, Jon inspired countless guests, crewmembers and people during his time there and throughout his career. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Jon McBride’s family during this difficult time.”
McBride was born in Charleston, W.Va., and became an F-4 Phantom test pilot, flying 64 combat missions in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. After being selected as an astronaut in 1978, McBride served as the lead chase pilot for shuttle Columbia’s maiden voyage and then piloted space shuttle Challenger during an eight-day mission (STS 41-G). He was later assigned to NASA headquarters, serving as assistant administrator for congressional relations.
In 1989, McBride retired from NASA and the Navy to pursue a business career but soon landed the new astronaut role with Delaware North at the visitor complex.
“He told me several times the most exciting part of his career was with the Navy and NASA – but the most meaningful part was at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, sharing space,” his son, Jon McBride II, told Florida Today. “He just told me that sharing space made all of the excitement and all the things that he did meaningful. He really hoped to inspire the next generation of space explorers, scientists, engineers.”
McBride was the main speaker for Delaware North’s corporate Earth Day celebration in 2011, sharing his perspective with team members and at several Buffalo schools.