posted 01-06-2018 11:10 AM               

John Young, ninth astronaut on moon, led first shuttle mission, dies at 87

John Young, NASA's longest-serving astronaut, who walked on the moon and flew on the first Gemini and space shuttle missions, has died.

The first person to fly six times into space — seven, if you count his launch off of the moon in 1972 — and the only astronaut to command four different types of spacecraft, Young died on Friday (Jan. 5) following complications from pneumonia. He was 87.

posted 01-06-2018 11:10 AM               

Fellow astronauts remember John Young as crewmate, hero and 'great American'

Astronauts who flew into space with John Young, and others who followed him into space, paid tribute to their late friend and colleague, who was the ninth person to walk on the moon and led the first space shuttle mission.

Young died on Friday (Jan. 5) following complications from pneumonia. He was 87.

"I am overwhelmed by the news," Charlie Duke, who with Young landed on the moon in 1972, wrote on Facebook on Saturday (Jan. 6). "I've lost a dear friend, my mentor and a dynamic leader."

posted 01-06-2018 11:10 AM               

NASA Remembers Agency's Most Experienced Astronaut

The following is a statement from acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot on the passing of John Young, who died Friday night following complications from pneumonia at the age of 87. Young is the only agency astronaut to go into space as part of the Gemini, Apollo and space shuttle programs, and the first to fly into space six times:

"Today, NASA and the world have lost a pioneer. Astronaut John Young's storied career spanned three generations of spaceflight; we will stand on his shoulders as we look toward the next human frontier.

"John was one of that group of early space pioneers whose bravery and commitment sparked our nation's first great achievements in space. But, not content with that, his hands-on contributions continued long after the last of his six spaceflights -- a world record at the time of his retirement from the cockpit.

"Between his service in the U.S. Navy, where he retired at the rank of captain, and his later work as a civilian at NASA, John spent his entire life in service to our country. His career included the test pilot's dream of two 'first flights' in a new spacecraft -- with Gus Grissom on Gemini 3, and as Commander of STS-1, the first space shuttle mission, which some have called 'the boldest test flight in history.' He flew as Commander on Gemini 10, the first mission to rendezvous with two separate spacecraft the course of a single flight. He orbited the Moon in Apollo 10, and landed there as Commander of the Apollo 16 mission. On STS-9, his final spaceflight, and in an iconic display of test pilot 'cool,' he landed the space shuttle with a fire in the back end.

"I participated in many Space Shuttle Flight Readiness Reviews with John, and will always remember him as the classic 'hell of an engineer' from Georgia Tech, who had an uncanny ability to cut to the heart of a technical issue by posing the perfect question — followed by his iconic phrase, 'Just asking...'

"John Young was at the forefront of human space exploration with his poise, talent, and tenacity. He was in every way the 'astronaut's astronaut.' We will miss him."

Statement by Former President George H.W. Bush on the Passing of Astronaut John Young

Following is a statement by former President George H.W. Bush (41) on the passing of astronaut John Young at the age of 87. According to news reports, Young flew into space six times in the Gemini, Apollo and Space Shuttle programs. Twice he flew to the moon.

Barbara and I join our fellow Americans and many friends in the space community in mourning the loss of astronaut John Young. John was more than a good friend; he was a fearless patriot whose courage and commitment to duty helped our Nation push back the horizon of discovery at a critical time. To us, he represented the best in the American spirit — always looking forward, always reaching higher. John leaves a tremendous legacy of accomplishment, in addition to his wonderful family. May his memory serve to inspire future generations of explorers to dare greatly, act boldly and serve selflessly.