John Watts Young (1930-2018) was an American astronaut who achieved significant milestones in the field of space exploration. Young's extensive career spanned over four decades, during which he made pioneering contributions to both the Gemini and Apollo space programs, as well as the first two flights of the Space Shuttle.
Born on September 24, 1930, in San Francisco, California, Young initially started his NASA journey as part of the second cohort of astronauts selected in 1962. He made his breakthrough with his first flight in 1965, serving as the pilot of the Gemini 3 mission, becoming the first American to fly in space twice.
Young's most notable contribution came as the commander of the Apollo 16 mission in 1972, where he became the ninth person to walk on the moon's surface. His work on the lunar surface, including the exploration of the Descartes Highlands, greatly expanded humanity's knowledge of the moon's geology.
Later, Young transitioned to the Space Shuttle program, commanding the maiden flight of the orbiter Columbia in 1981. Over time, he amassed numerous honors and accolades, including numerous NASA awards, the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, and induction into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.
John Watts Young's legacy as an astronaut is marked by his remarkable achievements and his role in advancing human space exploration. His contributions to scientific knowledge and exploration have left a lasting impact on our understanding of space and the universe.
