Ellison Shoji Onizuka’s journey to space marked several significant firsts.
Born in rural Kona, Hawai’i, in 1946, Onizuka grew up in a simple community largely centered around coffee farming. His parents were second-generation Japanese Americans, and he had three siblings.
From a young age, Onizuka was active in various youth organizations, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout and participating in 4-H and Future Farmers of America. His early interests set the stage for his dream of becoming a pilot and eventually traveling to space.
Onizuka’s academic journey took him to the University of Colorado, where he earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in aerospace engineering. During this time, he was also a participant in the U.S. Air Force ROTC program.
His academic and military training laid the groundwork for a distinguished career in the Air Force. He began as a flight test engineer and test pilot at McClellan Air Force Base in California and later attended the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, California.
Rising to the rank of Lt. Colonel, he served in various roles including instructor, manager, and flight test engineer.
In 1978, NASA selected Onizuka as part of the first group of astronauts for the space shuttle program, known as the Thirty-Five New Guys. This group included the first women, African American, Hispanic, and Asian American astronauts.
The space shuttle program aimed to make space travel more routine and practical, with missions encompassing a range of scientific and military goals.
Onizuka’s inaugural space flight occurred in January 1985 aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. The mission, STS-51-C, was a classified Department of Defense flight, notable for being staffed entirely by military officers.
Although details about the mission remain scarce, it was deemed a success, and Onizuka spent 74 hours in space.
A year later, Onizuka embarked on his second and final space mission aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. The STS-51L mission aimed to deploy a satellite and conduct various scientific experiments.
This mission included a teacher, marking the first time an ordinary citizen would fly to space. The diversity of the STS-51L crew reflected NASA’s evolving inclusive practices.
Tragically, the mission ended in disaster just 73 seconds after liftoff when the Challenger exploded, killing all seven crew members. The event profoundly impacted the nation and Onizuka’s legacy. He was posthumously promoted to Colonel in the U.S. Air Force, and his gravesite is located at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.
Ellison Onizuka’s Legacy:
- Family and Personal Life: Onizuka left behind his wife and two daughters.
- Awards and Honors: He received the Congressional Space Medal of Honor posthumously from President George W. Bush in 2004.
- Memorials and Namesakes:
- Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole
- Onizuka Center for International Astronomy at Maunakea Observatories
- Ellison S. Onizuka Space Center, now part of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai’i
- Ellison Onizuka Satellite Operations Facility at Vandenberg Space Force Base
- Onizuka Air Force Station (closed in 2010) in California
- Schools, libraries, bridges, streets named after him, including:
- Ellison Onizuka Street in Los Angeles
- Onizuka Memorial Garden in Little Tokyo, L.A.
- Astronomical Remembrances:
- An asteroid designated 3355 Onizuka
- A crater named after him on the Moon
In 2016, a soccer ball that Onizuka had taken on the Challenger flight was flown to the International Space Station, a symbolic act commemorating Onizuka’s mission.
This ball, signed by his daughter’s soccer team, now resides at Clear Lake High School in Texas.
Colleagues and friends remember Onizuka for his dedication, sense of humor, and efforts to inspire young people.
He frequently reminded others to “Make your life count, and the world will be a better place because you tried.”
His legacy continues through various educational events and memorials that aim to inspire future generations to pursue their dreams.
