John Young facts for kids

John Young was an amazing American astronaut, naval officer, and aviator. He was one of the most experienced astronauts in history. He flew on six space missions for NASA, which is a record! He was the first person to fly into space six times.

Who Was John Young?

John Watts Young was born on September 24, 1930, in San Francisco, California. He grew up in Orlando, Florida. From a young age, he was interested in flying and space. He studied at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he earned a degree in aeronautical engineering in 1952.

Early Life and Military Service

After college, John Young joined the U.S. Navy. He became a skilled pilot. He flew fighter jets and served in different squadrons. His excellent flying skills and calm nature made him a perfect candidate for the space program. Before becoming an astronaut, he was a test pilot, flying many different types of aircraft.

John Young's Space Missions

John Young had an incredible career at NASA. He was part of the second group of astronauts chosen in 1962. He flew on Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle missions. This made him the only astronaut to fly on all three of NASA's major space programs.

Gemini Program Flights

John Young's first space flight was on Gemini 3 in 1965. He was the pilot alongside Gus Grissom. This was the first two-person American space flight. They orbited Earth three times.

His second flight was on Gemini 10 in 1966. He was the commander of this mission. They practiced meeting up with other objects in space. This was very important for future moon missions.

Apollo Program Flights

John Young flew to the Moon twice! His first trip to the Moon was on Apollo 10 in 1969. He was the command module pilot. This mission was a practice run for the first Moon landing. They flew the command module around the Moon, getting very close to the surface.

His most famous mission was Apollo 16 in 1972. He was the commander of this mission. He walked on the Moon! He spent three days exploring the lunar surface with astronaut Charles Duke. They drove the Lunar Roving Vehicle, collecting rocks and doing science experiments. He was the ninth person to walk on the Moon.

Space Shuttle Program Flights

John Young also commanded the very first Space Shuttle mission, STS-1, in 1981. This was a huge moment for space exploration. He piloted the Space Shuttle Columbia on its first flight into space. This mission proved that the Space Shuttle could safely fly and land.

His final space flight was on STS-9 in 1983. This mission carried the first Spacelab module, a special laboratory for doing science experiments in space. John Young commanded this mission, showing his leadership and experience.

Legacy and Retirement

John Young retired from NASA in 2004, after 42 years of service. He was known for his calm demeanor, sharp wit, and incredible flying skills. He was a true pioneer in space exploration. He passed away on January 5, 2018, at the age of 87. His legacy continues to inspire new generations of astronauts and scientists.

Images for kids

• John Young - GPN-2000-001095.jpg

  John Young in his astronaut uniform.

• John Young Apollo 16.jpg

  John Young on the Moon during the Apollo 16 mission.