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posted 08-21-2013 06:02 PM               

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collectSPACE

Gordon Fullerton, space shuttle test pilot, dies at 76

Gordon Fullerton, an Apollo-era NASA astronaut who was among of the first test pilots to fly the space shuttle, died on Wednesday (Aug. 21), three years after suffering a stroke that left him partially paralyzed. He was 76.

One of four astronauts who flew NASA's original prototype orbiter on atmospheric test flights, Fullerton launched into space twice. He piloted the shuttle program's third mission in 1982 and, three years later, was commander when an engine shutdown resulted in the shuttle's only inflight abort.

Fullerton followed up his 382 hours in space with 22 years of service as a NASA research pilot. Combined with his experience as a test pilot in the U.S. Air Force, Fullerton logged a total of more than 16,000 hours at the controls of more than 135 different types of aircraft, including NASA's B-52 heavy-lift airborne launch aircraft and the 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft.

Per NASA, funeral arrangements are pending at Halley-Olsen-Murphy Memorial Chapel in Lancaster. A funeral mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday (Aug. 24) at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lancaster, followed by a celebration of Fullerton's life at NASA's Dryden Research Center on Monday (Aug. 26), beginning at 10 a.m.

A moment of silence can be signified by a reply with no words and only a period.

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posted 08-21-2013 07:27 PM               

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posted 08-21-2013 07:59 PM               

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This cover is posted in remembrance of Gordon Fullerton, who was very receptive to autograph requests. RIP

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John Macco
Space Unit #1457

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posted 08-22-2013 12:42 AM            

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RIP Gordo!

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Astronauts, Cosmonauts & their flights

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posted 08-22-2013 12:58 AM               

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Of all the astronauts out there, I wish I could have met Gordo the most. Reason being is he had a very long and distinguished career as a test pilot with stick time on probably more different types of aircraft than what 10 other pilots might be able to get to fly put together. Seeing the type of people that both Jack Lousma and Fred Haise are (and both of them being partners with Fullerton on the Enterprise and Columbia flights), I'm sure it would have been a great time.

Probably my happiest memory of Gordo would have to come from the STS-3 footage as Lousma was narrating it during its public screening. On orbit, Gordo reaches into his personal grooming kit and pulls out a hair brush. The bemused and very bald astronaut just shrugs, tosses the brush over his shoulder and floats away to the sounds of audience laughter.