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Stay young, Mr. Young
He joined the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in 1962. In 1965 he became the pilot of the first manned Project Gemini launch, and commanded the Gemini 10 mission.
In 1969, he commanded the command capsule during a lunar mission. He returned to the moon (and actually went to the surface) in 1972.
In 1981, he commanded the first Columbia mission (STS-1). He returned to that role for his final space flight in 1983 (STS-9). He was the first human to fly in space six times and the only astronaut to pilot four different spacecraft. He flew in the Gemini, Apollo and space shuttle programs.
In 1987, he became the special assistant to the Director of the Johnson Space Center for Engineering, Operations, and Safety. In 1996, he was named the Associate Director for the Johnson Space Center.
And today, 42 years after joining NASA, Astronaut John W. Young, 74 years young, has announced his retirement.
Have fun. You’ve earned it.
MickC @ December 8, 2004