John Young

[Stu]

Sad to see John Young has died at the age of 87.

Somehow his name has perhaps not been as well known perhaps as some of the others, but to have flown 6 missions on Gemini, Apollo and the Shuttle, including two missions to the moon and commanding the first Shuttle mission, he has to be right up there with the all time greats.

John Young, US astronaut and pioneer, dies aged 87
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42592057

[Davey-T]

RIP John, there have been a few programs on Discovery channel recently in which he figured.

Dave

[Alien 13]

The best of the best doesn't begin to describe these pioneers , RIP John Young.

Alan

[tomato]

RIP John, definitely made of the Right Stuff.

[Mark-V]

One of the greats , sad how few of them are still with us.

This will bring out all the "moon landings never happened" people out of the woodwork again ,   

[recceranger]

RIP John Young

 

[DaveS]

RIP the giants of our youth are passing one by one. We shall not see their like again. .

[Jem7]

Sad news indeed, but what an incredible life he lived. RIP 

[Swoop1]

Their number is dwindling but their acievements are not.

RIP John.

[Guest]

Just hope that a return to the moon happens before they all pass.

[Charic]

John Young, US Astronaut has died at the age of 87!

 

 

[Gina]

R.I.P.

[Peter Drew]

R.I.P. John Young. At least he had many subsequent years to enjoy and share the memories of his experience.

[Macavity]

A long and illustrious life. RIP. Not without a sense of humour though... There is a Youtube Video
where he is warned of being on "Hot Mic" while referring to the unwelcome  nature of "flatulence"
in space (suites?). "Swears off" Citrus Fruit etc! Perhaps the origins of a contemporary phrase?

To the question: "Shouldn't the first Columbia flight be flown by "remote control or a CHIMP(!)"?
He allegedly quipped that he was "Quite partial to Bananas..." [as well]?  

[Luna-tic]

20 hours ago, Stu said:

Sad to see John Young has died at the age of 87.

Somehow his name has perhaps not been as well known perhaps as some of the others, but to have flown 6 missions on Gemini, Apollo and the Shuttle, including two missions to the moon and commanding the first Shuttle mission, he has to be right up there with the all time greats.

His list of firsts is incredibly impressive, even within his peers.

First astronaut to pilot AND command 4 different classes of spacecraft: Gemini, Apollo CSM, Apollo LEM, and the Shuttle. 

First manned Gemini mission

First (along with Michael Collins) to rendezvous with another space vehicle (Agena)

First man to fly solo around the Moon (CSM pilot on Apollo 10)

Commanded the first Space Shuttle mission

Longest career as an astronaut (42 years with NASA)

One of only three men to have been to the Moon twice (James Lovell and Eugene Cernan are the other two)

One of twelve men to walk on the Moon

His Naval Aviation career is no less impressive, with a total of 15,275 flight hours in prop, jet, rotor, and rocket powered vehicles, and 835 hours of space flight in two Gemini, two Apollo, and two Shuttle missions.

He owns two "time to climb" records in the F4 Phantom.

 

This guy had the Right Stuff in spades.

[Stu]

27 minutes ago, Luna-tic said:

He owns two "time to climb" records in the F4 Phantom.

The F4 was what I grew up with at air displays; I still remember the noise and vibration going right through me when they flew, low overhead in those days. I saw them do climbs to altitude on a number of occasions and it was hugely impressive. Yet another reason to admire John that I did not know before.

Thank you  

https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/world-record-for-time-to-climb-to-a-height-of-25000-meters/

[Ravenous]

Yeah a proper test pilot. I was a hero-worshipping teen at the time he selected himself  for that first Shuttle flight.

[kirkster501]

Ar man, I was reading about him the other day. So sad!!!!

[m1dlj]

Sad news indeed, longest serving NASA astronaut I believe. Bet he's up there enjoying another corned beef sandwich right now.