{"id":550014,"date":"2023-10-17T12:58:07","date_gmt":"2023-10-17T16:58:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?p=550014"},"modified":"2023-10-17T15:30:08","modified_gmt":"2023-10-17T19:30:08","slug":"60-years-ago-nasa-selects-its-third-group-of-astronauts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/60-years-ago-nasa-selects-its-third-group-of-astronauts\/","title":{"rendered":"60 Years Ago: NASA Selects Its Third Group of Astronauts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>On Oct. 18, 1963, NASA announced the selection of its third group of astronauts. Chosen from 720 military and civilian applicants, the newest group of 14 astronauts comprised the best educated class up to that time. Seven represented the U.S. Air Force, four the U.S. Navy, one the U.S. Marine Corps, and two were civilians. NASA selected them to fly the two-seat Gemini spacecraft designed to test techniques for the Apollo Moon landing program as well as the Apollo missions themselves. Tragically, four of their members died before making their first spaceflight. The 10 surviving members of the group flew 18 important missions in the Gemini and Apollo programs, with seven traveling to the Moon and four walking on its surface. In addition, one flew a long-duration mission aboard Skylab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"624\" height=\"314\" class=\"wp-image-550045\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-1-group-photo-s63-18765.jpg\" alt=\"Group 3 astronauts pose following their introduction during the Oct. 17, 1963, press conference\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-1-group-photo-s63-18765.jpg 8140w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-1-group-photo-s63-18765.jpg?resize=300,151 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-1-group-photo-s63-18765.jpg?resize=768,387 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-1-group-photo-s63-18765.jpg?resize=1024,515 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-1-group-photo-s63-18765.jpg?resize=1536,773 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-1-group-photo-s63-18765.jpg?resize=2048,1031 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-1-group-photo-s63-18765.jpg?resize=400,201 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-1-group-photo-s63-18765.jpg?resize=600,302 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-1-group-photo-s63-18765.jpg?resize=900,453 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-1-group-photo-s63-18765.jpg?resize=1200,604 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-1-group-photo-s63-18765.jpg?resize=2000,1007 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px\" \/><br><em>The Group 3 astronauts pose following their introduction during the Oct. 18, 1963, press conference \u2013 front row, Edwin E. \u201cBuzz\u201d Aldrin, left, William A. Anders, Charles M. Bassett, Alan L. Bean, Eugene A. Cernan, and Roger B. Chaffee; back row, Michael Collins, left, R. Walter Cunningham, Donn F. Eisele, Theodore C. Freeman, Richard F. Gordon, Russell L. Schweickart, David R. Scott, and Clifton C. Williams.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On June 5, 1963, NASA announced that it would select 10-15 new candidates to augment the existing cadre of 15 active duty astronauts from its first two selections in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/60-years-ago-nasa-introduces-mercury-7-astronauts\/\">1959<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/60-years-ago-nasa-selects-a-second-group-of-astronauts\/\">1962<\/a>. The agency had enough astronauts to staff the Gemini missions, but with Apollo missions then expected to begin in 1965, with up to four flights per year, it needed more astronauts. Selection criteria at the time for the candidates included U.S. citizenship, a degree in engineering or physical science, test pilot experience or 1,000 hours flying jets, 34 years old or younger, and no taller than six feet. From the 720 applications received by the July deadline, the selection board chose 136 candidates for further screening and narrowed that field down to 34 for extensive medical evaluations at Brooks Air Force Base (AFB) in San Antonio between July 31 and Aug. 15. The chair of the selection board, coordinator of astronaut activities <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/slayton_donald.pdf?emrc=f1c825\">Donald K. \u201cDeke\u201d Slayton<\/a>, presented the names of the top 14 applicants to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/20-years-ago-remembering-robert-gilruth\/\">Robert R. Gilruth<\/a>, director of the Manned Spacecraft Center (MSC), now NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center in Houston, who approved the list. Slayton then called each of the winning candidates with the good news. On Oct. 18, he introduced the new astronauts during a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?app=desktop&v=EFQb14DmaK0\" rel=\"noopener\">press conference<\/a> in Houston. On average, this third group of astronauts were younger, slightly taller and heavier than the previous two groups, and better educated, six with master\u2019s degrees and one having earned a doctorate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-550046\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-2-first-day-of-work-feb-3-1964-img-0885.jpg\" alt=\"Mercury 7 astronaut and chief of operations and training for the astronaut office Walter M. Schirra\" width=\"624\" height=\"332\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-2-first-day-of-work-feb-3-1964-img-0885.jpg 3593w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-2-first-day-of-work-feb-3-1964-img-0885.jpg?resize=300,160 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-2-first-day-of-work-feb-3-1964-img-0885.jpg?resize=768,409 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-2-first-day-of-work-feb-3-1964-img-0885.jpg?resize=1024,545 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-2-first-day-of-work-feb-3-1964-img-0885.jpg?resize=1536,818 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-2-first-day-of-work-feb-3-1964-img-0885.jpg?resize=2048,1091 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-2-first-day-of-work-feb-3-1964-img-0885.jpg?resize=400,213 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-2-first-day-of-work-feb-3-1964-img-0885.jpg?resize=600,320 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-2-first-day-of-work-feb-3-1964-img-0885.jpg?resize=900,479 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-2-first-day-of-work-feb-3-1964-img-0885.jpg?resize=1200,639 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-2-first-day-of-work-feb-3-1964-img-0885.jpg?resize=2000,1065 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px\" \/><br><em>Mercury 7 astronaut and chief of operations and training for the astronaut office Walter M. Schirra, with back to camera, briefs the newly arrived 14 astronauts at the Manned Spacecraft Center, now NASA\u2019s<\/em> <em>Johnson Space Center in Houston.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Fourteen reported to work on Feb. 3, 1964, stationed initially at Houston\u2019s Ellington AFB while <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/60-years-ago-the-manned-spacecraft-center-makes-houston-its-home\/\">construction of the MSC<\/a> main campus on Clear Lake continued. During their first few months as astronauts, they visited various NASA centers and contractor facilities to become familiar with the space program\u2019s major elements. Each astronaut received a technical assignment to gain expertise in specific aspects of spaceflight to pass their knowledge on to the rest of the group, and to help in the design of spacecraft, rockets, spacesuits, control systems, and simulators. Additionally, their 240-hour course work covered topics such as astronomy, aerodynamics, rockets, communications, space medicine, meteorology, upper atmospheric physics, navigation, orbital mechanics, computers, and geology. Because some of the group members could potentially receive assignments to land on the Moon, training including field trips to geologically interesting sites where they received instruction from geologists. They conducted jungle survival training in Panama, desert survival training around Reno, Nevada, and water survival training at the Pensacola, Florida, Naval Air Station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-550048\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-3-schweickart-mcc-gemini-iv-jun-1965-s65-29263.jpg\" alt=\"Group 3 astronaut Russell L. \u201cRusty\u201d Schweickart\" width=\"209\" height=\"162\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-3-schweickart-mcc-gemini-iv-jun-1965-s65-29263.jpg 3842w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-3-schweickart-mcc-gemini-iv-jun-1965-s65-29263.jpg?resize=300,233 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-3-schweickart-mcc-gemini-iv-jun-1965-s65-29263.jpg?resize=768,596 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-3-schweickart-mcc-gemini-iv-jun-1965-s65-29263.jpg?resize=1024,795 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-3-schweickart-mcc-gemini-iv-jun-1965-s65-29263.jpg?resize=1536,1192 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-3-schweickart-mcc-gemini-iv-jun-1965-s65-29263.jpg?resize=2048,1589 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-3-schweickart-mcc-gemini-iv-jun-1965-s65-29263.jpg?resize=400,310 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-3-schweickart-mcc-gemini-iv-jun-1965-s65-29263.jpg?resize=600,466 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-3-schweickart-mcc-gemini-iv-jun-1965-s65-29263.jpg?resize=900,698 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-3-schweickart-mcc-gemini-iv-jun-1965-s65-29263.jpg?resize=1200,931 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-3-schweickart-mcc-gemini-iv-jun-1965-s65-29263.jpg?resize=2000,1552 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 209px) 100vw, 209px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-550049\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-4-geology-field-trip-bend-or-oct-8-1964-s64-34498.jpg\" alt=\"Schweickart, geologist Uel Clanton, Michael Collins, and Roger B. Chaffee during geology training near Bend, Oregon.\" width=\"238\" height=\"162\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-4-geology-field-trip-bend-or-oct-8-1964-s64-34498.jpg 4253w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-4-geology-field-trip-bend-or-oct-8-1964-s64-34498.jpg?resize=300,203 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-4-geology-field-trip-bend-or-oct-8-1964-s64-34498.jpg?resize=768,521 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-4-geology-field-trip-bend-or-oct-8-1964-s64-34498.jpg?resize=1024,694 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-4-geology-field-trip-bend-or-oct-8-1964-s64-34498.jpg?resize=1536,1041 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-4-geology-field-trip-bend-or-oct-8-1964-s64-34498.jpg?resize=2048,1388 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-4-geology-field-trip-bend-or-oct-8-1964-s64-34498.jpg?resize=400,271 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-4-geology-field-trip-bend-or-oct-8-1964-s64-34498.jpg?resize=600,407 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-4-geology-field-trip-bend-or-oct-8-1964-s64-34498.jpg?resize=900,610 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-4-geology-field-trip-bend-or-oct-8-1964-s64-34498.jpg?resize=1200,813 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-4-geology-field-trip-bend-or-oct-8-1964-s64-34498.jpg?resize=2000,1356 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 238px) 100vw, 238px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-550051\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-5-geology-training-nevada-test-site-yucca-flats-feb-17-1965-s65-17380.jpg\" alt=\"David R. Scott and Richard F. Gordon examine a rock sample during a geology field trip to the Nevada Test Site at Yucca Flats\" width=\"162\" height=\"162\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-5-geology-training-nevada-test-site-yucca-flats-feb-17-1965-s65-17380.jpg 4608w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-5-geology-training-nevada-test-site-yucca-flats-feb-17-1965-s65-17380.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-5-geology-training-nevada-test-site-yucca-flats-feb-17-1965-s65-17380.jpg?resize=300,300 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-5-geology-training-nevada-test-site-yucca-flats-feb-17-1965-s65-17380.jpg?resize=768,767 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-5-geology-training-nevada-test-site-yucca-flats-feb-17-1965-s65-17380.jpg?resize=1024,1024 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-5-geology-training-nevada-test-site-yucca-flats-feb-17-1965-s65-17380.jpg?resize=1536,1534 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-5-geology-training-nevada-test-site-yucca-flats-feb-17-1965-s65-17380.jpg?resize=2048,2045 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-5-geology-training-nevada-test-site-yucca-flats-feb-17-1965-s65-17380.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-5-geology-training-nevada-test-site-yucca-flats-feb-17-1965-s65-17380.jpg?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-5-geology-training-nevada-test-site-yucca-flats-feb-17-1965-s65-17380.jpg?resize=200,200 200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-5-geology-training-nevada-test-site-yucca-flats-feb-17-1965-s65-17380.jpg?resize=400,400 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-5-geology-training-nevada-test-site-yucca-flats-feb-17-1965-s65-17380.jpg?resize=600,600 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-5-geology-training-nevada-test-site-yucca-flats-feb-17-1965-s65-17380.jpg?resize=900,900 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-5-geology-training-nevada-test-site-yucca-flats-feb-17-1965-s65-17380.jpg?resize=1200,1198 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-5-geology-training-nevada-test-site-yucca-flats-feb-17-1965-s65-17380.jpg?resize=2000,1997 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 162px) 100vw, 162px\" \/><br><em>Left: Group 3 astronaut Russell L. \u201cRusty\u201d Schweickart, center, gets hands on experience as capsule communicator (capcom) during Gemini IV, the first flight controlled from the Mission Control Center at the Manned Spacecraft Center, now NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Middle: Schweickart, geologist Uel Clanton, Michael Collins, and Roger B. Chaffee during geology training near Bend, Oregon. Right: David R. Scott, left, and Richard F. Gordon examine a rock sample during a geology field trip to the Nevada Test Site at Yucca Flats.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of the 14, seven came from the U.S. Air Force (USAF), four from the U.S. Navy (USN), one from the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), and two were civilians at the time of selection but had military experience. The astronauts included <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-edwin-buzz-aldrin\/\">Edwin E. \u201cBuzz\u201d Aldrin<\/a> (USAF), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-william-a-anders\/\">William A. Anders<\/a> (USAF), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/bassett_charles.pdf?emrc=5457d4\">Charles M. Bassett<\/a> (USAF), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-alan-bean\/\">Alan L. Bean<\/a> (USN), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-eugene-a-cernan\/\">Eugene A. Cernan<\/a> (USN), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-roger-b-chaffee\/\">Roger B. Chaffee<\/a> (USN), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-michael-collins\/\">Michael Collins<\/a> (USAF), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/cunningham-walter.pdf?emrc=99f0de\">R. Walter Cunningham<\/a> (civilian), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/eisele_donn.pdf?emrc=4e176f\">Donn F. Eisele<\/a> (USAF), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/freeman_theodore.pdf?emrc=f1755c\">Theodore C. \u201cTed\u201d Freeman<\/a> (USAF), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/gordon_richard_0.pdf?emrc=3de1fe\">Richard F. Gordon<\/a> (USN), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/schweickart_russell.pdf?emrc=a7ec6e\">Russell L. \u201cRusty\u201d Schweickart<\/a> (civilian), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/scott_david.pdf?emrc=54adfb\">David R. Scott<\/a> (USAF), and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/williams_clifton.pdf?emrc=7161a7\">Clifton C. \u201cCC\u201d Williams<\/a> (USMC). Williams had the distinction as the first bachelor astronaut, a distinction he lost in July 1964.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-550052\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-6-aldrin-s64-31485.jpg\" alt=\"Group 3 astronaut Edwin E. \u201cBuzz\u201d Aldrin\" width=\"199\" height=\"244\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-6-aldrin-s64-31485.jpg 3711w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-6-aldrin-s64-31485.jpg?resize=244,300 244w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-6-aldrin-s64-31485.jpg?resize=768,942 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-6-aldrin-s64-31485.jpg?resize=834,1024 834w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-6-aldrin-s64-31485.jpg?resize=1252,1536 1252w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-6-aldrin-s64-31485.jpg?resize=1669,2048 1669w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-6-aldrin-s64-31485.jpg?resize=326,400 326w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-6-aldrin-s64-31485.jpg?resize=489,600 489w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-6-aldrin-s64-31485.jpg?resize=733,900 733w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-6-aldrin-s64-31485.jpg?resize=978,1200 978w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-6-aldrin-s64-31485.jpg?resize=1630,2000 1630w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 199px) 100vw, 199px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-550053\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-7-anders-s64-31554.jpg\" alt=\"Astronaut William A. Anders\" width=\"212\" height=\"244\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-7-anders-s64-31554.jpg 3696w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-7-anders-s64-31554.jpg?resize=260,300 260w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-7-anders-s64-31554.jpg?resize=768,885 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-7-anders-s64-31554.jpg?resize=888,1024 888w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-7-anders-s64-31554.jpg?resize=1333,1536 1333w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-7-anders-s64-31554.jpg?resize=1777,2048 1777w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-7-anders-s64-31554.jpg?resize=347,400 347w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-7-anders-s64-31554.jpg?resize=521,600 521w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-7-anders-s64-31554.jpg?resize=781,900 781w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-7-anders-s64-31554.jpg?resize=1041,1200 1041w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-7-anders-s64-31554.jpg?resize=1735,2000 1735w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 212px) 100vw, 212px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-550054\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-8-bassett-s64-31445.jpg\" alt=\"Charles M. Bassett\" width=\"194\" height=\"244\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-8-bassett-s64-31445.jpg 3681w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-8-bassett-s64-31445.jpg?resize=768,971 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-8-bassett-s64-31445.jpg?resize=810,1024 810w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-8-bassett-s64-31445.jpg?resize=1214,1536 1214w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-8-bassett-s64-31445.jpg?resize=1619,2048 1619w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-8-bassett-s64-31445.jpg?resize=712,900 712w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-8-bassett-s64-31445.jpg?resize=949,1200 949w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-8-bassett-s64-31445.jpg?resize=1581,2000 1581w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 194px) 100vw, 194px\" \/><br><em>Group 3 astronauts Edwin E. \u201cBuzz\u201d Aldrin, left, William A. Anders, and Charles M. Bassett.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Aldrin, who wrote his thesis on orbital rendezvous techniques for his Ph.D. in astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, earned the nickname Dr. Rendezvous. Appropriately, Slayton tasked him to help with mission planning. Aldrin received his first crew assignment as the backup pilot for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-gemini-ix-and-the-angry-alligator\/\">Gemini IX<\/a> that included training for a spacewalk. He put that experience, plus additional training in a neutral buoyancy simulator, or underwater training to better simulate weightlessness, during his four-day <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-gemini-xii-closes-out-a-successful-program-paves-the-way-for-apollo\/\">Gemini XII<\/a> flight during which he successfully completed three spacewalks. Moving on to the Apollo program, Aldrin next served as the backup Command Module Pilot (CMP) for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-apollo-8-you-are-go-for-tli\/\">Apollo 8<\/a> first lunar orbital mission. As the prime Lunar Module Pilot (LMP) on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-one-small-step-one-giant-leap\/\">Apollo 11<\/a>, Aldrin became the second man to walk on the Moon in July 1969. He retired from NASA the following year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Slayton assigned Anders, who held a master\u2019s degree in nuclear engineering, to follow the development of environmental controls for Gemini and Apollo spacecraft. His first mission assignment came as the backup pilot for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-gemini-xi-achieves-one-orbit-rendezvous-record-altitude\/\">Gemini XI<\/a>, and then as prime LMP on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-apollo-8-you-are-go-for-tli\/\">Apollo 8<\/a>. He is credited with taking the famous Earthrise photo while he and his crewmates orbited the Moon. He served as backup CMP on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-the-journey-to-the-moon-begins\/\">Apollo 11<\/a>, before retiring from NASA in August 1969 to join the National Aeronautics and Space Council.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bassett\u2019s technical assignment included training and simulators. Slayton assigned him as pilot on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-gemini-ix-and-the-angry-alligator\/\">Gemini IX<\/a>, a mission that included docking and a spacewalk. Tragically, on Feb. 28, 1966, just three months before their planned mission, Bassett and his command pilot <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/see_elliot.pdf?emrc=d07bad\">Elliott M. See<\/a> died in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-remembering-elliot-see-and-charles-bassett\/\">crash of their T-38<\/a> Talon aircraft as they approached Lambert International Airport in St. Louis in inclement weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-550060\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-9-bean-s64-32249.jpg\" alt=\"Alan L. Bean\" width=\"203\" height=\"254\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-9-bean-s64-32249.jpg 3666w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-9-bean-s64-32249.jpg?resize=239,300 239w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-9-bean-s64-32249.jpg?resize=768,963 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-9-bean-s64-32249.jpg?resize=816,1024 816w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-9-bean-s64-32249.jpg?resize=1224,1536 1224w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-9-bean-s64-32249.jpg?resize=1633,2048 1633w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-9-bean-s64-32249.jpg?resize=319,400 319w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-9-bean-s64-32249.jpg?resize=478,600 478w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-9-bean-s64-32249.jpg?resize=717,900 717w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-9-bean-s64-32249.jpg?resize=957,1200 957w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-9-bean-s64-32249.jpg?resize=1594,2000 1594w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 203px) 100vw, 203px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-550061\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-10-cernan-s64-31845.jpg\" alt=\"Eugene A. Cernan\" width=\"204\" height=\"254\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-10-cernan-s64-31845.jpg 3688w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-10-cernan-s64-31845.jpg?resize=241,300 241w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-10-cernan-s64-31845.jpg?resize=768,958 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-10-cernan-s64-31845.jpg?resize=821,1024 821w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-10-cernan-s64-31845.jpg?resize=1232,1536 1232w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-10-cernan-s64-31845.jpg?resize=1643,2048 1643w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-10-cernan-s64-31845.jpg?resize=321,400 321w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-10-cernan-s64-31845.jpg?resize=481,600 481w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-10-cernan-s64-31845.jpg?resize=722,900 722w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-10-cernan-s64-31845.jpg?resize=963,1200 963w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-10-cernan-s64-31845.jpg?resize=1604,2000 1604w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 204px) 100vw, 204px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-550062\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-11-chaffee-s64-31450.jpg\" alt=\"Roger B. Chaffee\" width=\"202\" height=\"254\"><br><em>Group 3 astronauts Alan L. Bean, left, Eugene A. Cernan, and Roger B. Chaffee.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bean\u2019s primary technical assignment involved spacecraft recovery systems. Slayton first assigned him as backup command pilot on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-gemini-x-soars-to-new-heights\/\">Gemini X<\/a> with Williams as his pilot. He next served as the backup LMP on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-apollo-9-completes-its-mission\/\">Apollo 9<\/a>, the first mission to test the Lunar Module (LM) in Earth orbit. That put him in position as the prime LMP on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-return-to-the-moon\/\">Apollo 12<\/a>. During that mission he became the fourth man to walk on the Moon. He later served as the commander for the 59-day <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-skylab-3-astronauts-splash-down-after-record-59-days-in-space\/\">Skylab 3<\/a> mission in 1973 and as the backup commander for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/45-years-ago-soyuz-and-apollo-launch\/\">Apollo-Soyuz Test Project<\/a> (ASTP) in 1975. He retired from NASA in 1981.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cernan, with a master\u2019s in aeronautical engineering, followed the development of spacecraft propulsion and the Agena docking target for Gemini missions. Slayton assigned him as backup pilot for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-gemini-ix-and-the-angry-alligator\/\">Gemini IX<\/a>, and following the deaths of See and Bassett, Cernan and his commander <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-thomas-stafford\/\">Thomas P. Stafford<\/a> took over as the prime crew. As luck would have it, they did not have a chance to dock with an Agena as it did not make it to orbit. Cernan conducted the second American spacewalk during that mission. He served as Aldrin\u2019s backup on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-gemini-xii-closes-out-a-successful-program-paves-the-way-for-apollo\/\">Gemini XII<\/a> and then as the backup LMP on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-nasa-launched-apollo-7\/\">Apollo 7<\/a>. That rotated him to the prime crew on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-apollo-10-to-sort-out-the-unknowns\/\">Apollo 10<\/a>, the dress rehearsal for the Moon landing during which he and Stafford took their LM to within nine miles of the lunar surface. He served as backup commander for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-apollo-14-launches-to-the-moon\/\">Apollo 14<\/a>, and then as prime commander of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-apollo-17-lights-up-the-night-sky-on-its-way-to-the-moon\/\">Apollo 17<\/a>, the final Apollo Moon landing mission, he left the last footprints of that program in the lunar soil in December 1972. He remains one of only three people to have traveled to the Moon twice. He retired from NASA in 1976.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Chaffee\u2019s technical assignment led him to follow the development of spacecraft communications systems. In March 1966, Slayton assigned him to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-three-months-until-apollo-1\/\">first crewed Apollo mission<\/a>, along with commander <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-virgil-i-grissom\/\">Virgil I. \u201cGus\u201d Grissom<\/a> and senior pilot <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-edward-h-white-ii\/\">Edward H. White<\/a>. Tragically, the three died on Jan. 27, 1967, in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-tragedy-on-the-launch-pad\/\">fire aboard their spacecraft<\/a> during a ground test on the launch pad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-550074\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-12-colllins-s64-29927.jpg\" alt=\"Michael Collins\" width=\"201\" height=\"252\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-12-colllins-s64-29927.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-12-colllins-s64-29927.jpg?resize=240,300 240w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-12-colllins-s64-29927.jpg?resize=768,960 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-12-colllins-s64-29927.jpg?resize=819,1024 819w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-12-colllins-s64-29927.jpg?resize=1229,1536 1229w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-12-colllins-s64-29927.jpg?resize=1638,2048 1638w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-12-colllins-s64-29927.jpg?resize=320,400 320w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-12-colllins-s64-29927.jpg?resize=480,600 480w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-12-colllins-s64-29927.jpg?resize=720,900 720w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-12-colllins-s64-29927.jpg?resize=960,1200 960w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-12-colllins-s64-29927.jpg?resize=1600,2000 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-550075\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-13-cunningham-s64-31816.jpg\" alt=\"R. Walter Cunningham\" width=\"203\" height=\"252\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-550076\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-14-eisele-s64-31471.jpg\" alt=\"Donn F. Eisele\" width=\"202\" height=\"252\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-14-eisele-s64-31471.jpg 3729w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-14-eisele-s64-31471.jpg?resize=241,300 241w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-14-eisele-s64-31471.jpg?resize=768,957 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-14-eisele-s64-31471.jpg?resize=822,1024 822w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-14-eisele-s64-31471.jpg?resize=1232,1536 1232w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-14-eisele-s64-31471.jpg?resize=1643,2048 1643w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-14-eisele-s64-31471.jpg?resize=321,400 321w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-14-eisele-s64-31471.jpg?resize=481,600 481w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-14-eisele-s64-31471.jpg?resize=722,900 722w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-14-eisele-s64-31471.jpg?resize=963,1200 963w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-14-eisele-s64-31471.jpg?resize=1605,2000 1605w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 202px) 100vw, 202px\" \/><br><em>Group 3 astronauts Michael Collins, left, R. Walter Cunningham, and Donn F. Eisele.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Collins, who had applied for the 1962 class but did not get selected, followed the development of pressure suits and spacewalking systems. As his first crew assignment, he served as the backup pilot for the long duration <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-the-spirit-of-76-the-first-rendezvous-in-space\/\">Gemini VII<\/a> mission. He next served as the pilot for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-gemini-x-soars-to-new-heights\/\">Gemini X<\/a>, the first mission to complete a rendezvous with two Agena targets, and during which he conducted two spacewalks. He briefly served as the CMP on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-apollo-8-you-are-go-for-tli\/\">Apollo 8<\/a> crew before being sidelined by surgery to correct a bone spur in his neck. After his recovery, he served as the CMP on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-the-journey-to-the-moon-begins\/\">Apollo 11<\/a>, the first Moon landing mission. He retired from NASA in 1970, and went on to serve as the director of the Smithsonian Institution\u2019s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., overseeing the building of its new facility that opened for the nation\u2019s bicentennial in 1976.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cunningham, who held a master\u2019s degree in physics and had nearly completed work on his Ph.D. when selected, oversaw the development of ground-based experiments to support spaceflights. Slayton assigned him to the second crewed Apollo mission, along with classmate Eisele and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-walter-wally-schirra\/\">Walter M. Schirra<\/a> as their commander. Later, Slayton reassigned them to back up the first Apollo crew of Grissom, White, and Chaffee. After the Apollo fire, Schirra, Eisele, and Cunningham became the prime crew for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-nasa-launched-apollo-7\/\">Apollo 7<\/a>, the first crewed Apollo flight. After working on the Skylab program, he retired from NASA in 1971.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Slayton assigned Eisele, who held a master\u2019s degree in astronautics, to oversee the development of spacecraft attitude control systems. Slayton assigned Eisele, along with Schirra and Cunningham to the second crewed Apollo mission, then reassigned them to back up the first Apollo crew. After the fire, Schirra, Eisele, and Cunningham became the prime crew for the first Apollo mission, completing the 11-day <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-nasa-launched-apollo-7\/\">Apollo 7<\/a> mission in October 1968. Eisele later served as the backup CMP for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-apollo-10-to-sort-out-the-unknowns\/\">Apollo 10<\/a>. He retired from NASA in 1972.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-550079\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-15-freeman-s64-31476.jpg\" alt=\"Theodore C. Freeman\" width=\"202\" height=\"252\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-15-freeman-s64-31476.jpg 5304w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-15-freeman-s64-31476.jpg?resize=240,300 240w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-15-freeman-s64-31476.jpg?resize=768,960 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-15-freeman-s64-31476.jpg?resize=819,1024 819w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-15-freeman-s64-31476.jpg?resize=1229,1536 1229w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-15-freeman-s64-31476.jpg?resize=1638,2048 1638w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-15-freeman-s64-31476.jpg?resize=320,400 320w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-15-freeman-s64-31476.jpg?resize=480,600 480w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-15-freeman-s64-31476.jpg?resize=720,900 720w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-15-freeman-s64-31476.jpg?resize=960,1200 960w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-15-freeman-s64-31476.jpg?resize=1600,2000 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 202px) 100vw, 202px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-550080\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-16-gordon-s64-31461.jpg\" alt=\"Richard F. Gordon\" width=\"199\" height=\"252\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-16-gordon-s64-31461.jpg 3759w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-16-gordon-s64-31461.jpg?resize=237,300 237w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-16-gordon-s64-31461.jpg?resize=768,972 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-16-gordon-s64-31461.jpg?resize=809,1024 809w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-16-gordon-s64-31461.jpg?resize=1213,1536 1213w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-16-gordon-s64-31461.jpg?resize=1618,2048 1618w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-16-gordon-s64-31461.jpg?resize=316,400 316w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-16-gordon-s64-31461.jpg?resize=474,600 474w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-16-gordon-s64-31461.jpg?resize=711,900 711w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-16-gordon-s64-31461.jpg?resize=948,1200 948w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-16-gordon-s64-31461.jpg?resize=1580,2000 1580w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 199px) 100vw, 199px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-550081\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-17-schweickart-s64-29936.jpg\" alt=\"Russell L. \u201cRusty\u201d Schweickart.\" width=\"202\" height=\"252\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-17-schweickart-s64-29936.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-17-schweickart-s64-29936.jpg?resize=240,300 240w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-17-schweickart-s64-29936.jpg?resize=768,960 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-17-schweickart-s64-29936.jpg?resize=819,1024 819w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-17-schweickart-s64-29936.jpg?resize=1229,1536 1229w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-17-schweickart-s64-29936.jpg?resize=1638,2048 1638w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-17-schweickart-s64-29936.jpg?resize=320,400 320w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-17-schweickart-s64-29936.jpg?resize=480,600 480w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-17-schweickart-s64-29936.jpg?resize=720,900 720w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-17-schweickart-s64-29936.jpg?resize=960,1200 960w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-17-schweickart-s64-29936.jpg?resize=1600,2000 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 202px) 100vw, 202px\" \/><br><em>Group 3 astronauts Theodore C. Freeman, left, Richard F. Gordon, and Russell L. \u201cRusty\u201d Schweickart.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With a master\u2019s degree in aeronautical engineering, Freeman\u2019s technical assignment involved following the development of the various boosters for the Gemini and Apollo programs. Tragically, before he received a flight assignment, Freeman died in the crash of a T-38 Talon aircraft on Oct. 31, 1964, near Ellington AFB in Houston. He was the first active duty astronaut to perish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Slayton put Gordon in charge of following the design of cockpit controls. Gordon\u2019s first crew assignment was as backup pilot for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-gemini-viii-the-first-docking-in-space\/\">Gemini VIII<\/a>, the first docking mission. He next served as the pilot for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-gemini-xi-achieves-one-orbit-rendezvous-record-altitude\/\">Gemini XI<\/a> that completed the docking with their Agena target on the first revolution. He conducted two spacewalks during that mission. On his next assignment, he served as the backup CMP for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-apollo-9-completes-its-mission\/\">Apollo 9<\/a>, and then as prime CMP on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-return-to-the-moon\/\">Apollo 12<\/a>, the second Moon landing mission. His last official assignment as backup commander of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-apollo-15-launches-to-the-moon\/\">Apollo 15<\/a> would have led him to most likely be commander of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-preparations-for-apollo-14-15-and-16\/\">Apollo 18<\/a>, but budget cuts in September 1970 canceled that mission. He retired from NASA the following year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Schweickart, the youngest member of this astronaut class and with a master\u2019s in aeronautics and astronautics, oversaw the development and integration of inflight experiments. First assigned in March 1966 as Chaffee\u2019s backup on the first crewed Apollo mission, Schweickart and his crew mates <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/mcdivitt_james.pdf?emrc=8a2c95\">James A. McDivitt<\/a> and fellow classmate Scott were reassigned to the mission to carry out the first in-orbit test of the LM. They flew that mission as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-apollo-9-completes-its-mission\/\">Apollo 9<\/a> in March 1969. Schweickart later served as the backup commander of the first Skylab crew. He retired from NASA in 1977.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-550084\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-18-scott-s64-31473.jpg\" alt=\"David R. Scott\" width=\"200\" height=\"234\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-18-scott-s64-31473.jpg 3724w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-18-scott-s64-31473.jpg?resize=256,300 256w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-18-scott-s64-31473.jpg?resize=768,901 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-18-scott-s64-31473.jpg?resize=873,1024 873w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-18-scott-s64-31473.jpg?resize=1310,1536 1310w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-18-scott-s64-31473.jpg?resize=1746,2048 1746w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-18-scott-s64-31473.jpg?resize=341,400 341w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-18-scott-s64-31473.jpg?resize=512,600 512w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-18-scott-s64-31473.jpg?resize=767,900 767w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-18-scott-s64-31473.jpg?resize=1023,1200 1023w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-18-scott-s64-31473.jpg?resize=1705,2000 1705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-550085\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-19-williams-s64-31711.jpg\" alt=\"Clifton C. \u201cCC\u201d Williams\" width=\"186\" height=\"234\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-19-williams-s64-31711.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-19-williams-s64-31711.jpg?resize=240,300 240w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-19-williams-s64-31711.jpg?resize=768,960 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-19-williams-s64-31711.jpg?resize=819,1024 819w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-19-williams-s64-31711.jpg?resize=1638,2048 1638w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-19-williams-s64-31711.jpg?resize=320,400 320w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-19-williams-s64-31711.jpg?resize=480,600 480w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-19-williams-s64-31711.jpg?resize=720,900 720w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-19-williams-s64-31711.jpg?resize=960,1200 960w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-19-williams-s64-31711.jpg?resize=1600,2000 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 186px) 100vw, 186px\" \/><br><em>Group 3 astronauts David R. Scott, left, and Clifton C. \u201cCC\u201d Williams.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Slayton placed Scott, who held a master\u2019s degree in aeronautics and astronautics, in charge of monitoring the development of guidance and navigation systems. On his first crew assignment, he served as pilot on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-gemini-viii-the-first-docking-in-space\/\">Gemini VIII<\/a>, the mission that featured the first docking with an Agena target and the first in-space emergency requiring an immediate return to Earth. Just days after that harrowing flight in March 1966, Scott was named to the backup crew for the first Apollo mission, but later he, McDivitt, and Schweickart were reassigned to the first flight to test the LM in space, the flight that flew as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-apollo-9-completes-its-mission\/\">Apollo 9<\/a> in March 1969. Scott next served as backup commander of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-return-to-the-moon\/\">Apollo 12<\/a>, then as prime commander of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-apollo-15-launches-to-the-moon\/\">Apollo 15<\/a>. He became the seventh man to walk on the Moon and the first to drive there, using the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-apollo-15-on-the-moon-at-hadley-apennine\/\">Lunar Roving Vehicle<\/a>. After leaving the astronaut corps, he served first as the deputy director and then the director of NASA\u2019s Dryden, now Armstrong, Flight Research Center at Edwards AFB in California\u2019s Mojave Desert. He retired from NASA in 1977.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Williams, the only Marine and lone bachelor of the group (he married in July 1964), oversaw range operations and crew safety. Slayton assigned Williams as the backup pilot for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-gemini-x-soars-to-new-heights\/\">Gemini X<\/a>, and later he served as the LMP on a backup crew for the first flight of the LM in Earth orbit, along with Charles \u201cPete\u201d Conrad and fellow classmate Gordon. Tragically, Williams <a href=\"Group%203%201%20group%20photo%20s63-18765.jpg\">died in the crash<\/a> of a T-38 Talon aircraft near Tallahassee, Florida, on Oct. 5, 1967. Bean replaced him on Conrad\u2019s crew, that became the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-apollo-9-completes-its-mission\/\">Apollo 9<\/a> backup crew and ultimately the prime crew for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-return-to-the-moon\/\">Apollo 12<\/a>. At Bean\u2019s suggestion, Williams is memorialized on the Apollo 12 crew patch as a fourth star, the other three stars representing the actual flight crew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-550089\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-20-astronauts-summary.jpg\" alt=\"Summary of spaceflights by Group 3 astronauts.\" width=\"624\" height=\"254\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-20-astronauts-summary.jpg 1145w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-20-astronauts-summary.jpg?resize=300,122 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-20-astronauts-summary.jpg?resize=768,313 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-20-astronauts-summary.jpg?resize=1024,417 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-20-astronauts-summary.jpg?resize=400,163 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-20-astronauts-summary.jpg?resize=600,244 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-20-astronauts-summary.jpg?resize=900,366 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px\" \/><br><em>Summary of spaceflights by Group 3 astronauts. The boxes with flight names in italics represent astronauts who died before they could undertake the mission.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a group, The Fourteen tragically had the highest mortality rate of any astronaut class. The surviving 10 astronauts completed a total of 18 flights, five Gemini missions, 12 Apollo missions, and one Skylab mission. Of the group, Collins received the first crew assignment as Gemini VII backup pilot, while Scott made the first spaceflight on Gemini VIII. Bean made the last spaceflight by a Fourteen, as commander of Skylab 3 in 1973, and also the last to receive a crew assignment as the backup commander for the ASTP mission in 1975. Seven of The Fourteen traveled to the Moon, one of them twice, and four walked on its dusty surface. One even drove on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-550093\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-21-gemini-vii-crew-incl-collins-aug-1-1965-s65-41828.jpg\" alt=\"Michael Collins, lower left, the first of The Fourteen to receive a crew assignment as backup pilot on Gemini VII\" width=\"148\" height=\"185\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-21-gemini-vii-crew-incl-collins-aug-1-1965-s65-41828.jpg 2401w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-21-gemini-vii-crew-incl-collins-aug-1-1965-s65-41828.jpg?resize=240,300 240w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-21-gemini-vii-crew-incl-collins-aug-1-1965-s65-41828.jpg?resize=768,960 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-21-gemini-vii-crew-incl-collins-aug-1-1965-s65-41828.jpg?resize=820,1024 820w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-21-gemini-vii-crew-incl-collins-aug-1-1965-s65-41828.jpg?resize=1229,1536 1229w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-21-gemini-vii-crew-incl-collins-aug-1-1965-s65-41828.jpg?resize=1639,2048 1639w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-21-gemini-vii-crew-incl-collins-aug-1-1965-s65-41828.jpg?resize=320,400 320w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-21-gemini-vii-crew-incl-collins-aug-1-1965-s65-41828.jpg?resize=480,600 480w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-21-gemini-vii-crew-incl-collins-aug-1-1965-s65-41828.jpg?resize=720,900 720w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-21-gemini-vii-crew-incl-collins-aug-1-1965-s65-41828.jpg?resize=960,1200 960w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-21-gemini-vii-crew-incl-collins-aug-1-1965-s65-41828.jpg?resize=1601,2000 1601w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 148px) 100vw, 148px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-550090\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-22-gemini-viii-prime-and-backup-s65-58501.jpg\" alt=\"David R. Scott, lower left, received the first assignment to a prime crew as Gemini VIII pilot \u2013 fellow Fourteen Richard F. Gordon was assigned as his backup\" width=\"232\" height=\"185\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-22-gemini-viii-prime-and-backup-s65-58501.jpg 5961w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-22-gemini-viii-prime-and-backup-s65-58501.jpg?resize=768,608 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-22-gemini-viii-prime-and-backup-s65-58501.jpg?resize=1024,810 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-22-gemini-viii-prime-and-backup-s65-58501.jpg?resize=1536,1215 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-22-gemini-viii-prime-and-backup-s65-58501.jpg?resize=2048,1621 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-22-gemini-viii-prime-and-backup-s65-58501.jpg?resize=400,317 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-22-gemini-viii-prime-and-backup-s65-58501.jpg?resize=600,475 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-22-gemini-viii-prime-and-backup-s65-58501.jpg?resize=900,712 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-22-gemini-viii-prime-and-backup-s65-58501.jpg?resize=1200,950 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-22-gemini-viii-prime-and-backup-s65-58501.jpg?resize=2000,1583 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 232px) 100vw, 232px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-550092\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-23-scott-aboard-gemini-viii-prelaunch-s66-24406.jpg\" alt=\"Scott awaits launch inside Gemini VIII.\" width=\"230\" height=\"185\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-23-scott-aboard-gemini-viii-prelaunch-s66-24406.jpg 8192w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-23-scott-aboard-gemini-viii-prelaunch-s66-24406.jpg?resize=300,240 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-23-scott-aboard-gemini-viii-prelaunch-s66-24406.jpg?resize=768,614 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-23-scott-aboard-gemini-viii-prelaunch-s66-24406.jpg?resize=1024,819 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-23-scott-aboard-gemini-viii-prelaunch-s66-24406.jpg?resize=1536,1228 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-23-scott-aboard-gemini-viii-prelaunch-s66-24406.jpg?resize=2048,1638 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-23-scott-aboard-gemini-viii-prelaunch-s66-24406.jpg?resize=400,320 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-23-scott-aboard-gemini-viii-prelaunch-s66-24406.jpg?resize=600,480 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-23-scott-aboard-gemini-viii-prelaunch-s66-24406.jpg?resize=900,720 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-23-scott-aboard-gemini-viii-prelaunch-s66-24406.jpg?resize=1200,960 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-23-scott-aboard-gemini-viii-prelaunch-s66-24406.jpg?resize=2000,1599 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 230px) 100vw, 230px\" \/><br><em>Left: Michael Collins, lower left, the first of The Fourteen to receive a crew assignment as backup pilot on Gemini VII. Middle: David R. Scott, lower left, received the first assignment to a prime crew as Gemini VIII pilot \u2013 fellow Fourteen Richard F. Gordon was assigned as his backup. Right: Scott awaits launch inside Gemini VIII.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-related-articles\">\t\t<section class=\"hds-related-articles padding-x-0 padding-y-3 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"w-100 grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0 text-align-left\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\"><h2 style=\"max-width: 100%;\" class=\"width-full w-full maxw-full\">Explore More<\/h2><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/flag-day-2024-one-small-flags-incredible-journey\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/flag-day-2024-11-us-flag-after-demo-2-mission-arrival-1.jpg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/flag-day-2024-11-us-flag-after-demo-2-mission-arrival-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/flag-day-2024-11-us-flag-after-demo-2-mission-arrival-1.jpg?resize=300,225 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/flag-day-2024-11-us-flag-after-demo-2-mission-arrival-1.jpg?resize=768,576 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/flag-day-2024-11-us-flag-after-demo-2-mission-arrival-1.jpg?resize=400,300 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/flag-day-2024-11-us-flag-after-demo-2-mission-arrival-1.jpg?resize=600,450 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/flag-day-2024-11-us-flag-after-demo-2-mission-arrival-1.jpg?resize=900,675 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">7 min read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"related-article-title\">Flag Day 2024 \u2013 One Small Flag\u2019s Incredible Journey<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t15 hours ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-manned-orbiting-laboratory-cancellation\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"212\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/mol-cancellation-4-mol-group-1-astronauts.jpg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/mol-cancellation-4-mol-group-1-astronauts.jpg 424w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/mol-cancellation-4-mol-group-1-astronauts.jpg?resize=300,212 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/mol-cancellation-4-mol-group-1-astronauts.jpg?resize=400,283 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">10 min read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"related-article-title\">55 Years Ago: Manned Orbiting Laboratory Cancellation<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t3 days ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-star-trek-final-episode-airs-relationship-with-nasa-endures\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"217\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/star-trek-final-episode-13-armstrong-at-doohan-farewell-anne-cusack-la-times-2004.jpg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/star-trek-final-episode-13-armstrong-at-doohan-farewell-anne-cusack-la-times-2004.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/star-trek-final-episode-13-armstrong-at-doohan-farewell-anne-cusack-la-times-2004.jpg?resize=300,217 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/star-trek-final-episode-13-armstrong-at-doohan-farewell-anne-cusack-la-times-2004.jpg?resize=768,555 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/star-trek-final-episode-13-armstrong-at-doohan-farewell-anne-cusack-la-times-2004.jpg?resize=400,289 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/star-trek-final-episode-13-armstrong-at-doohan-farewell-anne-cusack-la-times-2004.jpg?resize=600,434 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">15 min read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"related-article-title\">55 Years Ago: Star Trek Final Episode Airs, Relationship with NASA Endures<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1 week ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On Oct. 18, 1963, NASA announced the selection of its third group of astronauts. Chosen from 720 military and civilian applicants, the newest group of 14 astronauts comprised the best educated class up to that time. Seven represented the U.S. Air Force, four the U.S. Navy, one the U.S. Marine Corps, and two were civilians. [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":74,"featured_media":550045,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[2671],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[12664,11995],"coauthors":[11996],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"60 Years Ago: NASA Selects Its Third Group of Astronauts","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/60-years-ago-nasa-selects-its-third-group-of-astronauts\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/60-years-ago-nasa-selects-its-third-group-of-astronauts\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-1-group-photo-s63-18765.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-1-group-photo-s63-18765.jpg"},"articleSection":"NASA History","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"John Uri"}],"creator":["John Uri"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["NASA History"],"dateCreated":"2023-10-17T16:58:07Z","datePublished":"2023-10-17T16:58:07Z","dateModified":"2023-10-17T19:30:08Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"60 Years Ago: NASA Selects Its Third Group of Astronauts\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/60-years-ago-nasa-selects-its-third-group-of-astronauts\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-1-group-photo-s63-18765.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2023-10-17T16:58:07Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"NASA History\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"NASA History\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"John Uri\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":13,"time_ago":"8 months","featured_image":{"id":550045,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/group-3-1-group-photo-s63-18765.jpg","title":"group-3-1-group-photo-s63-18765","alt":"Group 3 astronauts pose following their introduction during the Oct. 17, 1963, press conference","caption":"The Group 3 astronauts pose following their introduction during the Oct. 17, 1963, press conference \u2013 front row, Edwin E. \u201cBuzz\u201d Aldrin, left, William A. Anders, Charles M. Bassett, Alan L. Bean, Eugene A. Cernan, and Roger B. Chaffee; back row, Michael Collins, left, R. Walter Cunningham, Donn F. Eisele, Theodore C. Freeman, Richard F. Gordon, Russell L. Schweickart, David R. Scott, and Clifton C. 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