Ebook: NASA’s Scientist-Astronauts

Mounting pressure in the early 1960s from the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to study ways of expanding the role of astronauts to conduct science on future space missions led to NASA’s conclusion that flying scientifically trained crewmembers would generate greater returns from each mission. NASA and industry studies continued investigating possibilities that could lead to the eventual creation of the first space stations using surplus Apollo hardware, through the Apollo Applications Programme (AAP). There was also a growing interest within the military to create their own manned space station programme, conducting on-orbit experiments and research with strategic advantages for national security. In October 1964 the Soviets launched Voskhod 1 whose 3-man crew were identified as the first ‘scientific passengers’ in space. A few days later NASA and the NAS had completed joint studies into the possibility of using scientists in the manned space programme, and invited scientists to apply for astronaut training. In selecting the first group of scientist-astronauts, NASA had one firm requirement; any person accepted into the programme would have to qualify as a military jet pilot. While the second group of scientists were completing their academic, survival and flight training programme, the remaining members of the first scientist-astronaut group were involved in supporting the developing Apollo Applications programme and the Apollo lunar programme.

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Mounting pressure in the early 1960s from the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to study ways of expanding the role of astronauts to conduct science on future space missions led to NASA’s conclusion that flying scientifically trained crewmembers would generate greater returns from each mission.

In October 1964 the Soviets launched Voskhod 1 whose 3-man crew were identified as the first "scientific passengers" in space. A few days later NASA and the NAS had completed joint studies into the possibility of using scientists in the manned space programme, and invited scientists to apply for astronaut training.

In selecting the first group of scientist-astronauts, NASA had one firm requirement; any person accepted into the programme would have to qualify as a military jet pilot.

This book provides unique access to the story of how scientists were accepted into the American Space Programme, and reveals how, after four difficult decades, the role of the heroic test pilot astronaut has been replaced by men and women who are science orientated space explorers.

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Mounting pressure in the early 1960s from the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to study ways of expanding the role of astronauts to conduct science on future space missions led to NASA’s conclusion that flying scientifically trained crewmembers would generate greater returns from each mission.

In October 1964 the Soviets launched Voskhod 1 whose 3-man crew were identified as the first "scientific passengers" in space. A few days later NASA and the NAS had completed joint studies into the possibility of using scientists in the manned space programme, and invited scientists to apply for astronaut training.

In selecting the first group of scientist-astronauts, NASA had one firm requirement; any person accepted into the programme would have to qualify as a military jet pilot.

This book provides unique access to the story of how scientists were accepted into the American Space Programme, and reveals how, after four difficult decades, the role of the heroic test pilot astronaut has been replaced by men and women who are science orientated space explorers.

Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xlv
The Wrong Stuff....Pages 1-23
Scientists as Astronauts....Pages 25-49
The Scientific Six....Pages 51-91
School for Scientists....Pages 93-116
The Excess Eleven....Pages 117-170
“Flying Is Just Not My Cup of Tea”....Pages 171-197
A Geologist on the Moon....Pages 199-241
Laboratories in the Sky....Pages 243-282
Shuttling into Space....Pages 283-331
The Long Wait....Pages 333-430
Ending of Eras....Pages 431-476
Science Officers on ISS....Pages 477-496
Back Matter....Pages 497-543

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Mounting pressure in the early 1960s from the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to study ways of expanding the role of astronauts to conduct science on future space missions led to NASA’s conclusion that flying scientifically trained crewmembers would generate greater returns from each mission.

In October 1964 the Soviets launched Voskhod 1 whose 3-man crew were identified as the first "scientific passengers" in space. A few days later NASA and the NAS had completed joint studies into the possibility of using scientists in the manned space programme, and invited scientists to apply for astronaut training.

In selecting the first group of scientist-astronauts, NASA had one firm requirement; any person accepted into the programme would have to qualify as a military jet pilot.

This book provides unique access to the story of how scientists were accepted into the American Space Programme, and reveals how, after four difficult decades, the role of the heroic test pilot astronaut has been replaced by men and women who are science orientated space explorers.

Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xlv
The Wrong Stuff....Pages 1-23
Scientists as Astronauts....Pages 25-49
The Scientific Six....Pages 51-91
School for Scientists....Pages 93-116
The Excess Eleven....Pages 117-170
“Flying Is Just Not My Cup of Tea”....Pages 171-197
A Geologist on the Moon....Pages 199-241
Laboratories in the Sky....Pages 243-282
Shuttling into Space....Pages 283-331
The Long Wait....Pages 333-430
Ending of Eras....Pages 431-476
Science Officers on ISS....Pages 477-496
Back Matter....Pages 497-543
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