Wally Schirra, American captain, pilot, and astronaut (b. 1923)

Walter Marty Schirra Jr. (March 12, 1923 – May 3, 2007) was an esteemed American naval aviator, test pilot, and a pioneering NASA astronaut whose remarkable career spanned the nascent years of human space exploration. A true trailblazer, he held the unique distinction of being the only astronaut to fly in all three of America's foundational human spaceflight programs: Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo, marking a significant chapter in the journey to the stars.

Early Life, Military Service, and Path to Space

Born in Hackensack, New Jersey, Walter Schirra's destiny seemed tied to aviation from an early age. His academic and professional journey began in earnest with his graduation from the United States Naval Academy in 1945, earning a Bachelor of Science degree. While World War II was drawing to a close, Schirra served at sea, gaining valuable experience that would later underpin his disciplined approach to spaceflight.

By 1948, he had earned his wings as a naval aviator. Schirra's combat readiness was demonstrated during the Korean War, where he distinguished himself as a fighter pilot, flying an impressive 90 combat missions. This intense experience in high-pressure situations honed his skills and temperament, qualities that were indispensable for the perilous work of test piloting and, eventually, space travel. His expertise was further refined after he graduated from the prestigious U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in 1958, placing him among an elite group of aviators chosen for the most challenging and innovative flight tests of the era.

Becoming a Mercury Astronaut: Project Sigma 7

The dawn of the Space Age brought with it an unprecedented challenge for the United States: to put humans into orbit. In 1959, Walter Schirra was selected as one of the original seven astronauts for Project Mercury, a group famously known as the "Mercury Seven." These men became instant national heroes, embodying the spirit of American innovation and daring.

On October 3, 1962, Schirra embarked on his first space mission aboard Mercury-Atlas 8. Piloting a spacecraft he affectionately nicknamed "Sigma 7," he completed six orbits of the Earth over a period of nine hours. This mission was a resounding success, demonstrating the spacecraft's systems and the astronaut's ability to maintain control and perform tasks in space. At the time of this flight, Schirra earned his place in history as the fifth American and the ninth human ever to journey into the vast expanse beyond Earth's atmosphere.

The Precision of Gemini: First Space Rendezvous

As the United States looked beyond Mercury's single-person missions, the Gemini program was developed to master crucial techniques necessary for lunar missions, such as spacewalks, extended duration flights, and orbital rendezvous. In December 1965, Schirra, commanding Gemini 6A, achieved a monumental feat: the first space rendezvous.

In a breathtaking display of precision flying, Schirra expertly maneuvered his spacecraft to within a mere 1 foot (30 cm) of its sister ship, Gemini 7, which was already in orbit with Frank Borman and Jim Lovell aboard. This rendezvous was not just a captivating spectacle; it was a critical validation of the intricate orbital mechanics and docking procedures that would be essential for the upcoming Apollo missions to the Moon, where the lunar module would need to rendezvous with the command module after ascending from the lunar surface.

Commanding Apollo 7: The Path to the Moon

After the Mercury and Gemini successes, Schirra's final space mission would be equally significant. In October 1968, he commanded Apollo 7, a pivotal 11-day low Earth orbit shakedown test of the three-man Apollo Command/Service Module (CSM). This mission was critically important as it was the first crewed launch for the Apollo program following the tragic Apollo 1 fire that claimed the lives of Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee.

Apollo 7 was a meticulous, comprehensive test of all the CSM's systems, proving its spaceworthiness and reliability under operational conditions. Schirra, along with crewmates Donn Eisele and Walt Cunningham, successfully demonstrated that the Apollo hardware was ready for lunar orbit missions, directly paving the way for Apollo 8's historic journey to orbit the Moon just two months later.

A Distinguished Retirement and Enduring Legacy

Walter Schirra retired from the U.S. Navy in 1969 with the rank of Captain, simultaneously concluding his illustrious career with NASA. He had logged an impressive total of 295 hours and 15 minutes in space. His record as the first astronaut to travel into space three times, and one of only two astronauts (the other being Gus Grissom) to have flown in all three Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs, firmly cemented his place in the annals of space history.

Post-NASA, Schirra transitioned into a new, public-facing role, becoming a consultant to CBS News. His unique perspective as a seasoned astronaut provided invaluable insight for the network's coverage of the subsequent Apollo flights. He notably joined legendary broadcast journalist Walter Cronkite as a co-anchor for all seven of NASA's historic Moon landing missions, helping to bring the wonder and complexity of space exploration directly into the homes of millions of Americans.

Walter Schirra Jr.'s life was a testament to courage, precision, and unwavering dedication. From fighter pilot to test pilot and then a pioneering astronaut who helped lay the groundwork for lunar exploration, his contributions were instrumental in shaping the early successes of the American space program and inspiring generations to look skyward.

Frequently Asked Questions About Walter Schirra Jr.

Q1: What made Walter Schirra unique among the early astronauts?

A1: Walter Schirra holds the distinction of being the only astronaut to fly missions in all three of NASA's foundational human spaceflight programs: Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. He was also the first astronaut to journey into space three times.

Q2: What was the significance of Schirra's Mercury mission?

A2: On October 3, 1962, Schirra piloted the Mercury-Atlas 8 mission in his "Sigma 7" spacecraft. This six-orbit, nine-hour flight marked him as the fifth American and ninth human to travel into space, successfully demonstrating the spacecraft's systems and the astronaut's ability to operate in orbit.

Q3: What was Schirra's major achievement during the Gemini program?

A3: As commander of Gemini 6A in December 1965, Walter Schirra achieved the first-ever space rendezvous, skillfully maneuvering his spacecraft to within 1 foot (30 cm) of the orbiting Gemini 7. This precision feat was crucial for developing the techniques needed for docking during the Apollo lunar missions.

Q4: Why was Apollo 7, commanded by Schirra, so important?

A4: Apollo 7, flown in October 1968, was the first crewed mission of the Apollo program after the tragic Apollo 1 fire. Schirra and his crew conducted an 11-day low Earth orbit shakedown test of the Command/Service Module, proving its reliability and preparing the way for subsequent lunar missions.

Q5: What did Walter Schirra do after retiring from NASA?

A5: After retiring from the Navy and NASA in 1969, Schirra became a consultant for CBS News, providing expert commentary for their coverage of the Apollo flights. He famously co-anchored alongside Walter Cronkite for all seven of NASA's Moon landing missions.