NASA Astronaut Group 4

Updated on Oct 20, 2023

Edit

Comment

Astronaut Group 4 (The Scientists) was the fourth group of astronauts selected by NASA in June 1965. While the astronauts of the first two groups were required to have college and some advanced degrees, they were chosen for their experience as test pilots. Test pilot experience was waived as a requirement for the third group, but military jet fighter aircraft experience could be substituted. Group 4 was the first group chosen for research and academic backgrounds (Doctorate degrees) rather than pilot training, which NASA provided as necessary. Of the six, four had previous military experience, with Garriott also having completed the USAF Pilot Training Program; Schmitt, a geologist, walked on the Moon, while Garriott, Gibson and Kerwin all flew to Skylab. Garriott also flew on the Space Shuttle. Graveline and Michel left NASA without flying in space.

Group members

Owen K. Garriott (born 1930), civilian (retired U.S. Navy), Physicist

Skylab 3 — July–September 1973 — Science Pilot — Second crew of the Skylab space station STS-9 Columbia — November 1983 — Mission specialist — Spacelab mission

Edward G. Gibson (born 1936), civilian, Physicist

Skylab 4 — November 1973–February 1974 — Science Pilot — Third crew of the Skylab space station

Duane E. Graveline (1931 – 2016), U.S. Air Force, Physician

Resigned from NASA before being assigned to a crew

Joseph P. Kerwin (born 1932), U.S. Navy, Physician

Skylab 2 — May–June 1973 — Science Pilot — First crew of the Skylab space station

F. Curtis Michel (1934 – 2015), civilian (retired U.S. Air Force), Physicist

Resigned from NASA before being assigned to a crew

Harrison H. Schmitt (born 1935), civilian, Geologist

Apollo 17 — December 1972 — Lunar Module Pilot — Last manned lunar landing, twelfth person to walk on the moon

References

NASA Astronaut Group 4 Wikipedia

(Text) CC BY-SA