David M. Brown

Date of Birth: April 16, 1956

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: February 1, 2003

Biography

David M. Brown was an accomplished American astronaut and a naval flight surgeon who tragically lost his life in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003. Born in Arlington, Virginia, Brown was known for his incredible dedication to both medicine and space exploration. He graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and subsequently earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School in 1982. Brown joined the Navy and became a naval flight surgeon, piloting jets and taking on significant responsibilities before being selected by NASA in 1996. He flew on STS-107, Columbia’s final mission, which ended in disaster upon re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.

5 Interesting Facts about David M. Brown

1. David M. Brown was a qualified naval aviator and logged over 2,700 hours flying time in high-performance jets.

2. He was selected by NASA in 1996 and completed two years of training and evaluation, making him eligible for flight assignment as a mission specialist.

3. Brown was one of the seven crew members aboard Space Shuttle Columbia when it disintegrated upon re-entry, resulting in the loss of all crew members.

4. He was known for his sense of humor and often used it to maintain morale among his fellow astronauts during training and the mission.

5. Prior to his career at NASA, he served as a flight surgeon for the Navy’s elite Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from David M. Brown

1. “This is a dream come true. I feel so privileged to have the opportunity to fly in space.”

2. “The most important thing about this flight is that we are doing science in space that will benefit all of humanity.”

3. “You have to keep a sense of humor to get through the rigorous training and the challenges of space flight.”

4. “I always wanted to be a doctor and a pilot, and becoming an astronaut allowed me to achieve both.”

5. “Space exploration is one of the greatest endeavors of humankind, and I’m honored to be part of it.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

David M. Brown’s net worth was not publicly disclosed, but NASA astronauts typically earn salaries within the range of $66,000 to $160,000 per year, depending on their experience and rank.