Ellison Onizuka

For other uses, see Ellison.

See Onizuka for other articles with titles that contain, either by relationship or by coincidence, this character's surname.

Ellison Onizuka (24 June 1946 - 28 January 1986) was a 20th century Human man who served as a United States Air Force engineer, test pilot, and NASA astronaut.

Biography[]

From 24 - 27 January 1985, Onizuka served as a mission specialist during space shuttle Discovery's mission STS-51-C. (ENT episode: "First Flight")

On 28 January 1986, Onizuka served as a mission specialist aboard Challenger. Tragically, at 11:39 hours, shortly after lifting off from Launch Complex 39, Pad B near Cape Canaveral, Challenger exploded with a loss of all hands. (DS9 - Mission Gamma novel: Twilight)

Legacy[]

A memorial plaque at the launch site commemorated Onizuka and his fellow crewmembers: "This day seven explorers sailed on a flame over the edge of the world". (DS9 - Mission Gamma novel: Twilight)

In the 21st century, Onizuka's Challenger patch, bearing his name, was displayed in Zefram Cochrane's Crash & Burn bar. (TNG movie: Star Trek: First Contact)

In the 22nd century, his Discovery mission patch, also bearing his name, was displayed at the 602 Club. (ENT episode: "First Flight")

In the 23rd century, the Federation Ocean Monitoring Platform Onizuka, deployed to study humpback whales George, Gracie, and Harpo, was named for him. (FASA RPG - Stardate Magazine module: The Hottest Blood of All)

In the 24th century, four Starfleet shuttlecraft assigned to Starfleet's flagship starships have been named in his honor. (TNG episodes: "The Ensigns of Command", "The Mind's Eye", TNG novel: Perchance to Dream, TNG comic: "Friends and Other Strangers")

In 2376, Elias Vaughn experienced a recreation of Cape Canaveral as he'd seen it in his youth, including the emotional impact of seeing Onizuka's name on the Challenger plaque. (DS9 - Mission Gamma novel: Twilight)

Appendices[]

Connections[]

Challenger personnel
United States, NASA	Challenger (OV-099, space shuttle)	Gregory Jarvis • Christa McAuliffe • Ronald McNair • Ellison Onizuka • Judith Resnik • Sally Ride • Dick Scobee • Michael J. Smith
United Earth, Starfleet	Challenger (NX-03)	R. Dunsel • E. Granger • Hendricks • Kaye • Rubin
Federation, Starfleet	USS Challenger (NCC-1715)	P. Brandy	UFPF Challenger	Z. Bonifay • N. Keller • S. Ring • Shucorion • Zoa
	USS Challenger (NCC-2032)	M. Michaels	USS Challenger (NCC-71099)	R. Barclay • L. Brahms • Carolan • Guinan • T. Hunt • G. La Forge • Nog • A. Ogawa • Qat'qa • B. Rasmussen • M. Scott • Simm • Vol