Robert Henry Lawrence Jr. was a brave pilot and scientist who was born on October 2, 1935, and sadly died on December 8, 1967. He was a very smart student who earned a big degree in chemistry before becoming a pilot for the Air Force! He was chosen for a special space program, making him the very first African American to be selected as an astronaut!
Robert was amazing at flying fast jets and testing new airplanes! He gathered really important information about how spaceships could glide back to Earth. Even though he died in an airplane crash before he could fly to space, his hard work helped build the Space Shuttle! We remember him as a brilliant hero who helped open the door to the stars for everyone!