In Memoriam – 45th Space Wing celebrates the life of Mr. Nicholas Byrnside

The flag will be flown at half-staff Friday, March 30th in honor of Mr. Nicholas C. Byrnside, Chief, Safety Analysis, who passed away on March 19. He was 78 years old. For more than 50 years, Mr. Byrnside proudly served and supported the United States Navy and United States Air Force, where he had a tremendous impact on the United States space program. (U.S. Air Force illustration by SSgt. Christopher Stoltz)

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In Memoriam – 45th Space Wing celebrates the life of Mr. Nicholas Byrnside

Published March 30, 2018
By 45th Space Wing Public Affairs

PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The flag will be flown at half-staff Friday, March 30th in honor of Mr. Nicholas C. Byrnside, Chief, Safety Analysis, who passed away on March 19. He was 78 years old.

For more than 50 years, Mr. Byrnside proudly served and supported the United States Navy and United States Air Force, where he had a tremendous impact on the United States space program.

Nicholas Byrnside completed basic training in the Marine Corps Reserves prior to enlisting in the Air Force in 1960. He went through Officer Training School after receiving his Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering in October 1964, but that wasn’t enough. He decided to further his education and completed his Masters in Aerospace Engineering in 1970.

During his tenure as an Air Force officer, Byrnside had the unique opportunity to serve as the Flight Safety Officer for the very first Space Shuttle launch (STS-1). Thanks in-part to his hard efforts and diligence, the United States was able to lead the charge in space operations.

Mr. Byrnside retired from the Air Force in 1988 as a Colonel and became a private consultant to various aerospace companies. Starting in mid-1990 and continuing for the next 24 years, Mr. Byrnside served as a contractor for Loral and Ford Aerospace.

His love of education returned as he then decided to serve as an Adjunct Professor at the Florida Institute of Technology. Eventually he returned to the Air Force in 2000, where his years of expertise allowed him to excel as a civil servant in the 45th Space Wing Range Safety office.

Not only will Mr. Byrnside be greatly missed by his family – but by his friends and co-workers here at Patrick AFB. Although there is a part in life where our time comes to an end, the legacy and contributions Mr. Byrnside provided to Patrick Air Force Base, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the Space Coast region and the United States Air Force lives on.

Thank you for your service, sir.