Astronaut Thomas P. Stafford, a venerated figure whose flights included the Apollo 10 dress rehearsal for the moon landing and the first U.S.-Soviet space linkup, passed away on Monday at the age of 93. Stafford, a retired Air Force three-star general, was central to key moments in the U.S. space program and hailed for his role in pioneering international cooperation in space.
Stafford’s passing happened in a hospital close to his residence on the Space Coast of Florida, as stated by Max Ary, director of the Stafford Air & Space Museum. “Today General Tom Stafford went to the eternal heavens which he so courageously explored as a Gemini and Apollo astronaut as well as a peacemaker in Apollo-Soyuz,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said, marking the passing of a person he referred to as a giant.”
After retiring his flight suit, Stafford continued to serve NASA, providing his expertise on various projects, such as advising on human Mars missions and chairing an oversight group that looked into the Hubble Space Telescope’s early issues. His role in aviation extended to his leadership of “Area 51,” the desert base associated with UFO lore but more significantly recognized as the testing ground for Air Force stealth technologies.
Stafford’s legacy involves the significant Apollo 10 mission, during which he and Gene Cernan flew the lunar lander Snoopy to within 9 miles of the moon’s surface, while John Young stayed in the command spacecraft. Apollo 10 set the record for the fastest speed attained by a crewed vehicle—24,791 mph during the return to Earth, a record that still stands.
“The most impressive sight, I think, that really changed your view of things is when you first see Earth,” Stafford recalled in a 1997 oral history, remembering the breathtaking views from lunar orbit.
The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975 was another high point in Stafford’s career, marking the first international docking mission—a symbol of détente during the Cold War era. “We have capture,” Stafford famously radioed in Russian as the Apollo and Soyuz spacecraft joined.
Stafford’s years after NASA saw him assume important roles in the Air Force and impact the advancement of innovative technology, such as the F-117 Stealth Fighter and the B-2 Stealth Bomber. He also played a key role in involving Russia in the collaboration that constructed and managed the International Space Station.
Born in Weatherford, Oklahoma, Stafford never veered from his childhood dream of flying, inspired by the sight of DC-3 airplanes crossing the skies. His illustrious career began with his graduation in the top 1% of his class at the U.S. Naval Academy, continuing through his time as an Air Force test pilot and eventually, as a pioneering astronaut selected in NASA’s second astronaut group.
Even in his later years, Stafford’s enthusiasm for space exploration remained strong. He actively participated in deliberations on the future of NASA’s human spaceflight programs and led influential committees that helped shape them. Stafford is survived by his wife Linda, two sons, two daughters, and two stepchildren. His legacy endures, not just in the annals of space history, but also in the Stafford Air & Space Museum in his hometown, honoring his extraordinary journey from Oklahoma to the stars.
Relevant articles:
– Astronaut Thomas Stafford, commander of Apollo 10, has died at age 93
– Thomas Stafford, NASA astronaut who led Apollo-Soyuz joint mission, dies at 93, collectSPACE.com, Mon, 18 Mar 2024 14:03:28 GMT
– Pioneering Gemini, Apollo astronaut Thomas Stafford dies at 93, UPI News, Mon, 18 Mar 2024 23:20:16 GMT
– Oklahoma astronaut Thomas Stafford dies at 93, 2 News Oklahoma KJRH Tulsa, Mon, 18 Mar 2024 17:26:55 GMT