Deke Slayton
astronaut (1924-1993)
Donald Kent "Deke" Slayton (March 1, 1924 – June 13, 1993) was a United States Air Force pilot, aeronautical engineer, and test pilot who was selected as one of the original NASA Mercury Seven astronauts. He went on to become NASA's first Chief of the Astronaut Office and Director of Flight Crew Operations.
Donald K. Slayton | |
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![]() Slayton in 1973 | |
Born | Donald Kent Slayton March 1, 1924 Sparta, Wisconsin, U.S. |
Died | June 13, 1993 League City, Texas, U.S. | (aged 69)
Nationality | United States |
Other names | Deke Slayton |
Alma mater | University of Minnesota, B.S. 1949 |
Awards | ![]() ![]() Collier Trophy James H. Doolittle Award |
Space career | |
NASA Astronaut | |
Previous occupation | Bomber pilot, test pilot |
Rank | ![]() |
Time in space | 9d 01h 28m |
Selection | 1959 NASA Group 1 |
Missions | Apollo–Soyuz Test Project |
Mission insignia | ![]() |
Retirement | February 27, 1982 |
Signature | |
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Slayton died on June 13, 1993 in League City, Texas from brain cancer, aged 69.[1]
References
change- ↑ Wilford, John Noble (June 14, 1993). "Donald Slayton Dies at 69; Was One of First Astronauts". The New York Times. p. B9. Retrieved April 8, 2019.