posted 01-07-2018 02:35 AM               

I had followed his career and achievements since Apollo 10 in 1969, was enthralled by the exploits of Apollo 16 and marveled at the daring of STS-1 after such a long wait. I also longed for him to make that elusive 7th flight even after losing the Hubble deployment mission.

He was always an astronaut I wanted to meet in person and tried several times to get an interview. I had a dedicated signed photo of him but I really wanted to meet him.

It was not until 1992, and with the help of another astronaut, that I finally got a one-to-one with him at JSC. Prior to the interview, I was told by PAO not to ask for a signature or a photo, so though excited to finally meet and speak with John I was also a little daunted as well. The interview, fortunately, went well and at the end, as I was saying my thanks, he noticed my Who's Who book with various signatures in and without prompting asked if I wanted his in the book as well (and I managed to have a photo taken with him... 'Sure' he said!). What an experience that day was.

Relatively new to interviewing astronauts, at that point, I had previously been told that he was always to the point on replies, short on conversation and could be a challenge to interview, especially as I was not representing a professional news agency. But on that day, though he was certainly all of the above, he was also relaxed, warm and friendly.

Unfortunately despite trying again for a second interview and several letters via the CB I never was able to secure a repeat session. But in December 1998 I was at a hangar at Ellington AFB waiting for the homecoming of the STS-88 crew, when Young walked by carrying his pilot helmet, parachute and flight gear. We at least exchanged very brief greetings, so though was not exactly the second meeting I sought, I was not complaining.

Many have written that there are famous astronauts, others are pioneers of the space programme, and then there is John Young. I agree he stands out as an outstanding character and achiever in the program, with a passion for attention to detail and safety. We should also recall his earlier career in the U.S. Navy, setting time to climb records in the F4 under the Project High Jump program in 1962.

Though retired for over a decade, his passing still leaves a massive void in the program and a saddened feeling that, so early in the new year, another pioneer of space exploration has gone.

posted 01-07-2018 09:44 AM               

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Originally posted by star51L:
John Young came up with one of the best lines ever. When observing a failed test of the Gemini ejection seats when the hatches failed to open and the seats plowed through them, he quipped "a helluva headache, but a short one."

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posted 01-07-2018 12:24 PM               

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Originally posted by SpaceAngel:
...it also means two things

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posted 01-07-2018 01:31 PM               

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Originally posted by Delta7:
Dave Scott is now the only living lunar landing commander, the only person who has actually performed a lunar landing hands-on.

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I missed that one too.

posted 01-08-2018 02:22 PM               

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Originally posted by SpaceAngel:
I hope the next Cygnus spacecraft will be named after John Young.

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The list of names available has grown over the last few months.

posted 01-08-2018 05:56 PM               

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Originally posted by SpaceAngel:
I hope the next Cygnus spacecraft will be named after John Young.

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