Biography

NASA Career - 1985-1990

"I...attribute [John's] severity to the intensity of his purpose and his professional rigor - the very things that have made him one of the nation's top (living) test pilots and, without question, America's top astronaut." U.S. Congressman Bill Nelson ( Mission ,213)

STS-61a walk out

"His memos could be quite caustic, but were valuable safety pointers." Harry Conner; former Rockwell International engineer

NASA Press Release "Chief Astronaut John Young Appointed to New Post"

- April 15, 1987 - Appointed Special Assistant to the Director of JSC for Engineering, Operations, and Safety - had direct access to the Center Director and other senior managers in defining and resolving issues affecting the continued safe operation of the Space Shuttle - additionally, he assisted the Center Director in providing advice and counsel on engineering, operational, and safety matters related to the Space Station, Shuttle upgrades, and advanced human Space Exploration Programs, back to the Moon and on to Mars.

STS-51D walk out