Former NASA astronaut James A. McDivitt, who commanded the Gemini IV and Apollo 9 missions, died on October 13. McDivitt died peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his household and good friends in Tucson, Arizona. He was 93 years of ages.
McDivitt was born June 10, 1929, in Chicago. He graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, prior to going on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Michigan, finishing first in his class in 1959.
Previous NASA astronaut James A. McDivitt, who commanded the Gemini IV and Apollo 9 missions, passed away on October 13. McDivitt commanded Gemini IV, the 2nd crewed Gemini flight, and Apollo 9, which checked the very first lunar module in Earth orbit. The Apollo 9 astronauts, left to right, James A. McDivitt, David R. Scott, and Russell L. Schweickart, pause in front of the Apollo/Saturn V area lorry that would introduce the Apollo 8 team. Outstanding view of the Apollo 9 Lunar Module, “Spider,” in a lunar landing configuration, as photographed from the Command and Service Modules on the 5th day of the Apollo 9 Earth-orbital objective on March 7, 1969. Inside the “Spider” were astronauts James A. McDivitt, Apollo 9 commander; and Russell L. Schweickart, lunar module pilot.
Picture of NASA astronaut James A. McDivitt. Credit: NASA
He flew 145 combat missions during the Korean War in F-80 and F-86 aircraft. He was a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Experimental Test Pilot School and the U.S. Air Force Aerospace Research Pilot course and served as an experimental test pilot at Edwards Air Force Base, California.
McDivitt was picked as an astronaut by NASA in September 1962 as part of NASAs 2nd astronaut class.
Astronaut James A. McDivitt, shown here in his official 1971 portrait, passed away Oct. 13, 2022. McDivitt commanded Gemini IV, the second crewed Gemini flight, and Apollo 9, which checked the first lunar module in Earth orbit. Credit: NASA
He first flew in area as leader of the Gemini IV mission in June 1965. McDivitt was signed up with by fellow Air Force pilot Ed White on the programs most enthusiastic flight to date. Throughout Gemini IV, White would end up being the first American to endeavor outside his spacecraft for what officially is understood as an extravehicular activity (EVA) or as the world has familiarized it, a spacewalk.
Gemini IV astronauts Ed White, left, and Jim McDivitt, present at Cape Kennedys Launch Pad 19 on June 1, 1965. Credit: NASA
In the following years, it was an ability that allowed Apollo explorers to walk on the Moon and American astronauts and their partners from all over the world to develop the International Space Station. The objectives four-day duration almost doubled NASA astronauts previous time in area to that point, with the longest American spaceflight previously being Gordon Coopers 34-hour Mercury 9 mission.
Gemini 4 astronaut Ed White starts his spacewalk extra-vehicular activity over the Pacific Ocean on the third orbit. This was the first spacewalk by a U.S. astronaut. It lasted 23 minutes. White initially utilized the gas powered gun held in his hand. After the very first 3 minutes the fuel went out and White manuevered by twisting his body and pulling on the 8 meter long umbilical cable. The photographs were taken by leader James McDivitt. Credit: NASA
McDivitts second spaceflight as the leader of Apollo 9 played a vital role in landing the first humans on the Moon. This was the very first flight of the complete set of Apollo hardware and was the very first flight of the Lunar Module. The mission introduced from NASAs Kennedy Space Center on March 3, 1969, with Commander James McDivitt, Command Module Pilot David Scott, and Lunar Module Pilot Russell Schweickart.
The Apollo 9 astronauts, delegated right, James A. McDivitt, David R. Scott, and Russell L. Schweickart, time out in front of the Apollo/Saturn V space vehicle that would launch the Apollo 8 crew. The launch of the Apollo 9 (Saturn V launch automobile, SA-504) happened on March 3, 1969. The Apollo 9 spacecraft, in the lunar objective setup, was tested in Earth orbit. The objective was created to rehearse all the actions and recreate all the events of the Apollo 11 objective with the exception of the lunar touchdown, stay, and liftoff. The command and service modules, and the lunar module were used in flight procedures identical to those that would later on take comparable vehicles to the Moon, and a landing. The Apollo 9 crew landed on March 13, 1969. Credit: NASA
After launch, Apollo 9 entered Earth orbit and the crew carried out an engineering test of the first crewed lunar module, nicknamed “Spider,” from beginning to end. The crew also set up the lunar module to support a spacewalk by McDivitt and Schweickart. On Flight Day 10, March 13, 1969, the Apollo 9 pill returned to Earths atmosphere and sprinkled down in the Atlantic Ocean, within three miles and in complete view of the healing ship, the USS Guadalcanal, about 341 miles north of Puerto Rico.
The Apollo 9 (Spacecraft 104/Lunar Module 3/Saturn 504) area car was introduced from Pad A, Launch Complex 39, Kennedy Space Center (KSC) at 11 a.m. EST, March 3, 1969. Aboard the spacecraft are astronauts James A. McDivitt, leader; David R. Scott, command module pilot; and Russell L. Schweickart, lunar module pilot.
McDivitt logged more than 14 days in space.
After Apollo 9, he ended up being manager of lunar landing operations, and led a team that planned the lunar expedition program and upgraded the spacecraft to achieve this task. In August 1969, he ended up being manager of the Apollo Spacecraft Program, assisting the program through Apollo 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16.
Exceptional view of the Apollo 9 Lunar Module, “Spider,” in a lunar landing configuration, as photographed from the Command and Service Modules on the fifth day of the Apollo 9 Earth-orbital objective on March 7, 1969. Inside the “Spider” were astronauts James A. McDivitt, Apollo 9 leader; and Russell L. Schweickart, lunar module pilot. Astronaut David R. Scott, command module pilot, remained at the controls in the Command Module, “Gumdrop,” while the other two astronauts checked out the Lunar Module.
McDivitt retired from the U.S. Air Force and left NASA in June 1972, to take the position of executive vice-president, business affairs for Consumers Power Company. In March 1975, he signed up with Pullman, Inc. as executive vice-president and a director. In October 1975 he ended up being president of the Pullman Standard Division, The Railcar Division, and later on had additional responsibility for the leasing and engineering and building and construction locations of the business. In January 1981 he joined Rockwell International as senior vice president, federal government operations, and Rockwell International Corporation, Washington, D.C.
His numerous awards included two NASA Distinguished Service Medals and the NASA Exceptional Service Medal. For his service in the U.S. Air Force, he also was granted 2 Air Force Distinguished Service Medals, 4 Distinguished Flying Crosses, five Air Medals, and U.S. Air Force Astronaut Wings. McDivitt likewise got the Chong Moo Medal from South Korea, the U.S. Air Force Systems Command Aerospace Primus Award, the Arnold Air Society JFK Trophy, the Sword of Loyola, and the Michigan Wolverine Frontiersman Award.
