William B. Lenoir

William B. Lenoir
Born	William Benjamin Lenoir (1939-03-14) 14 March 1939 Miami, Florida, U.S.
Died	26 August 2010(2010-08-26) (aged 71) Sandoval County, New Mexico, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Electrical engineer, NASA astronaut
Years active	1964–1992
Known for	NASA Space Shuttle mission STS-5

William Benjamin Lenoir (March 14, 1939 – August 26, 2010) was a distinguished American electrical engineer and NASA astronaut.

Early life and education

Lenoir was born in Miami, Florida to parents Samuel Staples Lenoir and Iona Catherine Lenoir (née Yann). His early schooling included Coral Gables Elementary and Ponce de Leon Junior High, culminating with his graduation from Coral Gables Senior High School in 1957. He pursued higher education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), earning a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering in 1961. While at MIT, he was an active member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity. Continuing his academic journey at MIT, he obtained a Master of Science in 1962 followed by a Doctor of Philosophy in electrical engineering and computer science in 1965. During his doctoral tenure, he was recognized for outstanding contributions to undergraduate teaching.

Between 1964 and 1965, Lenoir held an instructor position at MIT before being promoted to associate professor of electrical engineering in 1965. His scholarly interests included electromagnetic theory, systems theory, and remote sensing research. He played a significant role in various satellite experiments and maintained this research emphasis throughout his tenure as an astronaut.

NASA career

While engaged in Apollo Applications experiments at MIT, Lenoir applied to NASA and was selected as a scientist-astronaut candidate in August 1967. He completed both academic coursework and flight training at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, earning his pilot wings with distinguished graduate honors by April 1969.

Lenoir served as the backup science pilot for the Skylab 3 and Skylab 4 missions. In these roles, he co-led the visual observations project and facilitated coordination between the flight crews and principal investigators conducting solar science experiments. From September 1974 through July 1976, he headed NASA’s Satellite Power Team, focusing on research into large-scale satellite power systems intended for terrestrial applications while providing guidance to NASA Headquarters. Additionally, he contributed to the Space Shuttle program by supporting orbit operations, crew training, extravehicular activities, and payload deployment.

He flew as a mission specialist on STS-5 (November 11–16, 1982), marking the inaugural Space Shuttle mission dedicated to deploying commercial satellites and accumulating over 122 hours in space. Following this flight, Lenoir took on responsibilities managing mission development within the Astronaut Office.

In September 1984, Lenoir departed NASA to join Booz Allen Hamilton, a management and technology consulting firm based in Arlington, Virginia. He returned to NASA in June 1989 as Associate Administrator for Space Flight, overseeing policy formulation and operational activities related to the Space Shuttle program and U.S. civil launch operations.

Lenoir resigned once more in April 1992 to assume the role of vice president for the Applied Systems Division at Booz Allen Hamilton’s Bethesda, Maryland office.

Spaceflight experience

STS-5 lifted off from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on November 11, 1982. This mission was the first operational flight of the Space Shuttle Columbia and was known as the "We Deliver" mission. During this flight, two commercial communications satellites equipped with Payload Assist Module upper stages (PAM-D) were successfully deployed from the Orbiter's cargo bay—a significant milestone for commercial spaceflight. The onboard recorded video footage of these deployments was transmitted back to mission control later that day. STS-5 also gathered precise performance data on the Shuttle during launch, orbiting phases, atmospheric reentry, and landing. The payload included a Getaway Special experiment alongside three Student Involvement Project experiments as well as medical investigations. Notably, this mission was the last to carry the Development Flight Instrumentation (DFI) package used for flight testing.

Lenoir and fellow astronaut Allen were scheduled to conduct the Shuttle program’s first extravehicular activity (EVA) using newly developed cost-effective space suits. However, motion sickness delayed their spacewalk attempt by one day. Ultimately, an oxygen regulator malfunction within Lenoir's suit led to cancellation of the EVA—the first instance where a spacewalk was aborted due to suit-related problems.

The STS-5 crew completed five days orbiting Earth aboard Columbia, performing the first entry and landing through cloud cover onto a paved runway while demonstrating maximum braking capability. After completing 81 orbits around Earth, they safely touched down at Edwards Air Force Base, California on November 16, 1982.

Personal life

Lenoir experienced two marriages and was a father to three children. Throughout his career, he logged more than 3,000 hours piloting jet aircraft.

Death

On August 26, 2010, Lenoir passed away due to head trauma resulting from a bicycle accident that occurred close to his residence in Sandoval County, New Mexico.

Organizations

He held a senior membership with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and was affiliated with the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, as well as the honor societies Eta Kappa Nu and Sigma Xi.

Honors and awards

Among his accolades were recognition as a Sloan Scholar at MIT, receipt of the Carleton E. Tucker Award for Teaching Excellence at MIT, the NASA Exceptional Service Medal awarded in 1974, and the NASA Space Flight Medal presented in 1982.

See also

• List of spaceflight records

External links

• Astronautix biography of William B. Lenoir