|
This was the first selection of Scientist Astronauts rather then primarily military jet or test pilots. They were chosen for what was then called ‘The Apollo Applications Program’ (extended Apollo lunar exploration and space station missions). Duane Graveline withdrew from the Astronaut Program for personal reasons shortly after this photo was taken. Curt Michel and Joe Kerwin had previous military jet pilot training, but the other three had to complete a year long US Air Force jet pilot course before commencing formal astronaut training. The group trained with the 1966 selection and went on to support Apollo and Skylab missions. Schmitt, (a trained geologist) became the eleventh man to walk on the moon. Kerwin, Garriott and Gibson each flew on a Skylab space station mission with Garriott also completing a Shuttle Spacelab mission, 10 years later. In 2008, Garriot’s son, Richard, followed in the footsteps of his father, flying a short mission to the International Space Station as a spaceflight as a Spaceflight Participant.
|
