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Astronaut John Young Dies at 87

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John Young was one of a few to walk on the surface of the Moon. Image: NASA
John Young was one of a few to walk on the surface of the Moon. Image: NASA

American Astronaut John Young has died. He was 87. Known as the “Astronaut’s Astronaut”,  Young flew the first Gemini mission, flew twice to the Moon, walked on the Moon on Apollo 16, and commanded the first flight of the Space Shuttle.


Astronaut John W. Young, the pilot of the Gemini-Titan 3 prime crew, is shown suited up for GT-3 pre-launch test exercises. Photograph: NASA
Astronaut John W. Young, the pilot of the Gemini-Titan 3 prime crew, is shown suited up for GT-3 pre-launch test exercises. Photograph: NASA

Young worked for NASA for 42 years and announced his retirement on December 7, 2004. He retired on December 31, 2004, at the age of 74, but continued to attend the Monday Morning Meeting at the Astronaut Office at JSC for several years thereafter.

Commander Scott Kelly, who gained fame for his #ISS1Year Mission in space on the International Space Station, Tweeted, “Saddened for the loss of former astronaut colleague John Young – the astronauts’ astronaut, a true legend. Fair winds and following seas, Captain.”