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Donald Kent " Deke " Slayton (March 1, 1924 – June 13, 1993) was an American Air Force pilot, aeronautical engineer, test pilot, and one of the original NASA Mercury Seven astronauts. He went on to become NASA's first Chief of the Astronaut Office and Director of Flight Crew Operations, responsible for NASA crew assignments.
Mar 14, 2022 · Donald K. “Deke” Slayton, one of the original Mercury 7 astronauts that NASA selected in April 1959, lost his chance to become the second American to orbit the Earth when doctors noted he had a slight heart irregularity. Grounded from flying in space, Slayton instead turned to lead NASA’s team of astronauts for the next 10 years.
Jan 30, 2014 · Donald "Deke" Slayton was one of the original Mercury 7 astronauts — but he never flew in that program. Because of a heart condition, he was grounded for decades before being approved...
Jun 18, 2024 · AST-05-290 (17-19 July 1975) — Astronaut Donald K. Slayton, docking module pilot of the American ASTP crew, is seen in the hatchway leading between the Apollo Docking Module and the Soyuz Orbital Module during the joint U.S.-USSR Apollo-Soyuz Test Project docking mission in Earth orbit.
After a full life and exciting career, Deke Slayton succumbed to brain cancer on June 13, 1993 at the young age of 69.
Deke Slayton’s legacy as an astronaut, Air Force pilot, and pioneering leader in the U.S. space program has left an indelible mark on the history of space exploration.
Donald K. "Deke" Slayton (Major, USAF, Ret.) was born on March 1, 1924, in Sparta, Wisconsin, to parents Charles Sherman and Victoria Adelia (Larson) Slayton. 1 Slayton graduated from Sparta High School, Sparta, Wisconsin, in 1942, and then enlisted in the Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet on his 18 th birthday, March 1, 1942. 2 He completed ...
Jun 13, 1993 · Donald “Deke” Slayton. Flew 56 combat missions in Europe as a B-25 pilot from October, 1943 to May, 1944. In May 1945, Slayton went to Okinawa with the 319th Bombardment Group and flew seven combat missions over Japan in A-26s.
Named as one of the NASA Mercury astronauts in April 1959 Slayton became the first Chief Astronaut Officer in September 1962 and was responsible for the management of the astronaut office. In November 1963 he resigned his commission as an Air Force Major to assume the role of Director of Flight Crew Operations.
Donald Kent " Deke " Slayton (March 1, 1924 – June 13, 1993) was an American Air Force pilot, aeronautical engineer, and test pilot who was selected as one of the original NASA Mercury Seven astronauts. He went on to become NASA's first Chief of the Astronaut Office and Director of Flight Crew Operations, responsible for NASA crew assignments.
