The career of Stephen Douglas Thorne transitioned from naval fighter operations to the front lines of space flight selection before a premature death in 1986. Born in Frankfurt, West Germany, in 1953, he navigated a career path through the United States Naval Academy and elite flight test programs, eventually securing a position within the NASA astronaut candidate program.
Military and Test Pilot Foundation
After graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1975, Thorne earned his aviator wings in December 1976. His initial operational deployments involved flying the F-4 Phantom with Fighter Squadron 21 aboard the USS Ranger. By 1981, he had advanced to the United States Naval Test Pilot School. His tenure at the Naval Air Test Center in Patuxent River, Maryland, focused on weapons systems testing in the F-4 and the A-7 Corsair II. In 1984, he transitioned to the F-18 Hornet and served with Strike Fighter Squadron 132 on the USS Coral Sea.
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Following an initial unsuccessful application for NASA Astronaut Group 10, Thorne successfully secured a place as an astronaut candidate in June 1985. In August of that year, he entered a rigorous one-year training and evaluation regimen designed to qualify him as a pilot for forthcoming Space Shuttle missions. During his career, he accumulated more than 2,500 flight hours and successfully performed 200 carrier landings across approximately 30 different aircraft models.
Fatal Accident and Legacy
Thorne was killed on May 24, 1986, while serving as a passenger in a stunt plane performing maneuvers near Santa Fe, Texas. The crash also claimed the life of NASA engineer James Simons. His death occurred two months before the completion of his astronaut training. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. In the final months of his life, he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal in January 1986.
Fast facts
- Born: 1953, Frankfurt
- Died: 1986, Santa Fe, Texas
- Education: T.L. Hanna High School, 1971
- Education: United States Naval Academy, 1975
- Career: Astronaut candidate, test pilot, military officer
- Flight experience: Over 2,500 hours, 200 carrier landings
- Awards: Commendation Medal
- Burial site: Arlington National Cemetery
Questions readers ask
Did Stephen D. Thorne fly in space?
No, he died in a plane crash while still in the NASA astronaut candidate training program.
What aircraft did he test during his career?
He primarily flew the F-4 Phantom and A-7 Corsair II while at the Naval Air Test Center, later transitioning to the F-18 Hornet.
Achievements
- Commendation Medal
- Recorded as astronaut, test pilot and military officer
