David M. Brown

David Brown (April 16, 1956 - February 1, 2003) was an astronaut and space shuttle mission specialist of STS-107 (Columbia) who was killed when the craft disintegrated after reentry into the Earth's atmosphere. Brown (of Virginia) became an astronaut in 1996 and this was his first space flight.

Non-NASA Career

After working as a circus acrobat during college, Brown became a Captain in the US Navy.

After his death, Asteroid 51825 Davidbrown was named for him.