Source: Wikimedia/NASA (Public Domain)
Astronaut John Young, a legendary moonwalker who flew to space 6 times, has passed away at the age of 87.
In addition to being a six-time veteran, he was on the first Gemini mission and commanded the first shuttle flight. He also had also been on the 12 people to walk on the moon. Later in his NASA career, he served as the chief of the astronaut office.
Author Andrew Chaikin, who is known for his work concerning NASA, said the following about Young’s accomplishments on his website:
“If anybody deserves the title of legend it would be John Young…You know [the moon landing] alone would have qualified him for being in the Hall of Fame of astronaut careers…But the thing that really made him a true legend was in 1981 when he commanded the very first space shuttle mission.”
NASA has also released the following video honoring Young.
In the media, Young was portrayed by actor Ben Marley in the 1995 film, Apollo 13, and by John Posey in the 1998 HBO series, From the Earth to the Moon.
John Young Cause Of Death: Pneumonia
His cause of death is believed to be complications from pneumonia, with his official date of death being Friday, January 5, 2018. He is believed to be survived by his wife and two children from a previous marriage.
