Wally Schirra

Astronaut and Apollo 7 commander

Wally Schirra - Astronaut and Apollo 7 commander
Born

March 12th, 1923
102 years ago

Died

May 3rd, 2007
18 years ago — 84 years old

Category

Explorers & Adventurers

Country

United States

Links & References

A captain, pilot, and astronaut, this individual became a prominent figure in the early years of human spaceflight. Selected as one of the original seven astronauts for NASA's Project Mercury, he flew on Mercury-Atlas 8, performing six orbits of Earth in 1962. Later, he commanded the Apollo 7 mission in 1968, the first manned flight of the Apollo program, which tested crucial systems for future lunar missions. Throughout a distinguished career with NASA, he also contributed to the Gemini program and helped develop space shuttle technology.

Commanded Apollo 7, the first manned Apollo mission

Flew on Mercury-Atlas 8, completing six orbits

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