Sonny Carter

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Space Mirror Memorial Sonny Carter

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[[File: Manfred Albrecht "Sonny" Carter, Jr. (August 15, 1947 – April 5, 1991) was an American physician, professional soccer player, and NASA astronaut. Born in Macon, Georgia, Carter's multifaceted career spanned medicine, professional sports, and space exploration, making him a unique figure in American history.

Early Life and Education

Carter was born to Manfred Albrecht Carter, Sr., and Mildred Carter in Macon, Georgia. He showed an early interest in both academics and athletics. Carter attended Lanier High School in Macon, where he excelled in soccer. After graduating from high school, he attended Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, where he earned a bachelor's degree in physics. He continued his education at Emory University School of Medicine, receiving his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1973.

Soccer Career

Before embarking on his medical and space careers, Carter was a professional soccer player. He played for the Atlanta Chiefs in the North American Soccer League (NASL) during the 1960s and early 1970s. His passion for the sport was evident, as he managed to balance his soccer commitments with his academic pursuits.

Medical Career

After completing his medical degree, Carter served as a physician in the United States Navy, where he specialized in aerospace medicine. His work in the Navy included serving as a flight surgeon, where he was responsible for the healthcare of pilots and aircrew. His medical career was characterized by a focus on the health and safety of those in high-risk professions, laying the groundwork for his future role as an astronaut.

NASA Career

Carter's journey to becoming an astronaut began when he was selected by NASA in May 1984 as part of Astronaut Group 10. His selection was a testament to his diverse background and expertise in medicine and physical fitness. Carter flew on STS-33, a Space Shuttle Discovery mission, in November 1989. The mission was a Department of Defense-dedicated flight, and details of its objectives remain classified. Carter's role as a mission specialist on STS-33 showcased his ability to apply his medical knowledge in the unique environment of space.

Death and Legacy

Tragically, Carter's promising career was cut short when he died in a commercial airplane crash near Brunswick, Georgia, on April 5, 1991. He was traveling from Huntsville, Alabama, where he had been working on the Hubble Space Telescope project, back to his home in Texas. Carter's death was a significant loss to the fields of medicine, sports, and space exploration.

Following his death, NASA honored him by naming the Sonny Carter Training Facility, where astronauts train for spacewalks, in his memory. The facility, also known as the Neutral Buoyancy Lab, is a testament to Carter's contributions to the space program and his enduring legacy.

See Also

• List of astronauts by name
• List of astronauts by year of selection
• List of space shuttle missions
• Neutral Buoyancy Lab