Learning Center Our Enshrinees

Richard “Dick” Gordon

• Flew as a test pilot from 1957 to 1960 where he worked in the F-8U Crusader, F-11F Tiger, North American FJ Fury, and A-4D Skyhawk.
• Set a transcontinental speed record of 869.74 mph in 2 hours, 47 minutes in the F4H- 1 Phantom II.
• Selected to be apart of NASA’s third class of astronauts.
• Set an altitude record of 851 miles on his first space flight as pilot of Gemini 11 with Pete Conrad which is still the highest-apogee earth orbit.
• Flew on Apollo 12 as Command Module Pilot. However, the mission quickly faced catastrophe as the spacecraft suffered a loss of cockpit displays due to lightning strikes. Regardless, Gordon and the rest of the crew successfully completed the second manned mission to land on the moon.
• Served as Chief of Advanced Programs in the Astronaut Office working on the design and application of the space shuttle.