Author Topic: Astronaut Richard Gordon has passed away  (Read 3612 times)

Offline Olaf

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Offline Kasponaut

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Re: Astronaut Richard Gordon has passed away
« Reply #1 on: 11/07/2017 06:35 pm »
Rest in peace Sir!

Offline Poole Amateur

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Re: Astronaut Richard Gordon has passed away
« Reply #2 on: 11/07/2017 07:00 pm »
Really sad news. RIP Dick Gordon. Only the other day was I listening to the crew of Apollo 12 laughing their way to orbit after the lightning strike, God Speed.

Offline Bob Shaw

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Re: Astronaut Richard Gordon has passed away
« Reply #3 on: 11/07/2017 07:17 pm »
Sad, but inevitable. What a pity he never got to land!

Offline MATTBLAK

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« Last Edit: 11/07/2017 08:15 pm by MATTBLAK »
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Offline Rocket Science

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Re: Astronaut Richard Gordon has passed away
« Reply #6 on: 11/07/2017 08:26 pm »
This is happening far to often now it seems... :( Thank you for you service sir, may you rest in peace...
https://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/gordon-rf.html
« Last Edit: 11/07/2017 08:32 pm by Rocket Science »
"The laws of physics are unforgiving"
~Rob: Physics instructor, Aviator

Offline WBY1984

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Re: Astronaut Richard Gordon has passed away
« Reply #7 on: 11/07/2017 08:35 pm »
Rest in Peace, sir. A life well lived.

Offline eric z

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Re: Astronaut Richard Gordon has passed away
« Reply #8 on: 11/08/2017 12:06 am »
 I'm very sad to hear this; R.I.P Mr. Gordon... :(
 Think of the view Charles Conrad and him must have had on Gemini 11, and the even wilder view as he went around the Moon on Apollo 12 waiting for his buddies to return from grabbing parts of the Surveyor [!!!]. The command module pilots on the lunar missions were indeed a special breed.
 I love that Alan Bean painting where he has Dick down on the Moon with them - wonderful!  8)

Online jacqmans

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Re: Astronaut Richard Gordon has passed away
« Reply #9 on: 11/08/2017 08:59 am »
November 07, 2017
RELEASE 17-085
NASA Pays Tribute to Early Space Pioneer Richard Gordon
 

The following is a statement from acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot on the passing of former NASA astronaut Richard Gordon:

“NASA and the nation have lost one of our early space pioneers. We send our condolences to the family and loved ones of Gemini and Apollo astronaut Richard Gordon, a hero from NASA’s third class of astronauts. 

“Naval officer, aviator, chemist, test pilot, and astronaut were among the many hats of this talented and daring explorer. Dick was pilot of Gemini XI in 1966, on which he performed a spacewalk where he tethered the Gemini and Agena together for the very first attempt at creating artificial gravity by rotating spacecraft.

He also was command module pilot of Apollo 12, the second manned mission to land on the Moon. While his crewmates Pete Conrad and Alan Bean landed in the Ocean of Storms, he remained in lunar orbit aboard the Yankee Clipper, taking photos for potential future landing sites and later performing final re-docking maneuvers.

“An accomplished naval aviator, Dick tested many new aircraft that later entered service and also won the Bendix Trophy Race from New York to Los Angeles in 1961, setting a new speed record for the time.
“Dick will be fondly remembered as one of our nation’s boldest flyers, a man who added to our own nation’s capabilities by challenging his own. He will be missed.”

For more information about Gordon’s NASA career, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/gordon_richard.pdf

-end-
« Last Edit: 11/08/2017 09:00 am by jacqmans »
Jacques :-)

Offline Stardust9906

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Re: Astronaut Richard Gordon has passed away
« Reply #10 on: 11/08/2017 09:26 am »
RIP :(

Offline seawolfe

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Re: Astronaut Richard Gordon has passed away
« Reply #11 on: 11/08/2017 09:50 am »
This is happening far to often now it seems... :( Thank you for you service sir, may you rest in peace...
https://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/gordon-rf.html


I have that photo autographed by him.  I met him in Seattle and he was such a nice guy and very approachable.

Offline gordo

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Re: Astronaut Richard Gordon has passed away
« Reply #12 on: 11/08/2017 08:24 pm »
For the early space shuttle flights Dick Gordon was the expert alongside the studio anchor in the UK.  Great memories of his insights into what was going on.    This was the STS2 launch coverage

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