Astronaut Profile
Richard Gordon
Pilot
Richard Gordon flew on Gemini 11's record-altitude flight and later orbited the Moon as Command Module Pilot on Apollo 12.
OrbitingTruths Archive
Pilot • Deceased
Biography
The person behind the mission
Richard F. Gordon Jr. was a U.S. Navy test pilot selected in NASA's third group of astronauts. He flew as pilot on Gemini 11 in September 1966, a mission that docked with its Agena target vehicle within the first orbit and used the Agena's engine to reach a Gemini-program altitude record of roughly 850 miles. Gordon served as Command Module Pilot on Apollo 12 in November 1969, orbiting the Moon while Pete Conrad and Alan Bean explored the Ocean of Storms below.
Astronaut Details
Born
October 5, 1929
Died
November 6, 2017
Birthplace
Seattle, Washington, USA
Role
Pilot
Program
Gemini
Time in Space
13 days, 3 hours, 53 minutes
Missions
Gemini 11, Apollo 12
Recognition
Awards & Honors
- NASA Distinguished Service Medal
- Navy Distinguished Flying Cross
- Congressional Space Medal of Honor