Who Is Gus Grissom? Age, Biography and Wiki
Gus Grissom, born on April 3, 1926, was an American astronaut and a key figure in the early years of the United States space program. He was one of the original seven astronauts selected for NASA's Project Mercury, making history by becoming the second American to fly in space. Tragically, Grissom's life was cut short in 1967 during the Apollo 1 mission when a cabin fire claimed his life alongside his crewmates. Despite his untimely death, Grissom's legacy continues to inspire future generations of astronauts and space enthusiasts.
| Occupation | Mechanical Engineers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | April 3, 1926 |
| Age | 40 Years |
| Birth Place | Mitchell, Indiana, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Aries |
| Country | India |
| Date of death | 27 January, 1967 |
| Died Place | Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S. |
Popularity
Gus Grissom's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Gus Grissom stood at an approximate height of 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 meters) and had a weight of around 160 pounds (72.5 kg) during his active years in the aerospace field. His robust physique allowed him to endure the rigorous training associated with space travel.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Gus Grissom was married to his childhood sweetheart, Betty Grissom. The couple tied the knot in 1945 and remained together until Gus's tragic passing in 1967. They had two children, a son named Scott and a daughter named Dawn. Grissom's dedication to his family mirrored his commitment to his career, and his legacy continues through his surviving family members.
Grissom started attending Mitchell High School in 1940. He wanted to play varsity basketball but he was too short. His father encouraged him to find sports he was more suited for, and he joined the swimming team. Although he excelled at mathematics, Grissom was an average high school student in other subjects. He graduated from high school in 1944.
Net Worth and Salary
While specific figures regarding Gus Grissom's net worth are difficult to ascertain due to the era in which he lived, it is estimated that his salary as an astronaut and the compensation he received for his military service would place his net worth in the range of several hundred thousand dollars at the time of his passing. His contributions to the U.S. space program paved the way for future astronauts who would earn significantly more as the field evolved.
Career, Business and Investments
Gus Grissom had a distinguished career in the United States Air Force prior to becoming an astronaut. He was selected for NASA's Project Mercury and later participated in Gemini and Apollo programs. His contributions to space exploration included the Mercury-Redstone 4 mission and serving as the commander of the Gemini 3 mission. Grissom's ambitious spirit and technical skills made him a vital asset to NASA. Since his passing, various institutions and space programs have established scholarships and honors in his name, preserving his legacy within the aerospace community.
Grissom was discharged from military service in November 1945, after the war had ended, and returned to Mitchell, where he took a job at Carpenter Body Works, a local bus manufacturing business. Grissom was determined to make his career in aviation and attend college. Using the G.I. Bill for partial payment of his school tuition, Grissom enrolled at Purdue University in September 1946.
Social Network
Though Grissom did not engage with social media platforms during his lifetime due to the era being prior to their existence, his legacy continues to thrive through various online platforms and space forums dedicated to honoring the pioneering astronauts. Fans and aspiring astronauts often share their admiration for Grissom on social media, ensuring his contributions to space exploration are not forgotten.
Grissom was backup command pilot for Gemini 6A when he was transferred to the Apollo program and was assigned as commander of the first crewed mission, AS-204, with Senior Pilot Ed White, who had flown in space on the Gemini 4 mission, when he became the first American to make a spacewalk, and Pilot Roger B. Chaffee.
The three men were granted permission to refer to their flight as "Apollo 1" on their mission insignia patch. Problems with the simulator proved extremely annoying to Grissom, who told a reporter the problems with Apollo 1 came "in bushelfuls" and that he was skeptical of its chances to complete its fourteen-day mission.
Grissom earned the nickname "Gruff Gus" by being outspoken about the technical deficiencies of the spacecraft. The engineers who programmed the Apollo training simulator had a difficult time keeping the simulator in sync with the continuous changes being made to the spacecraft.
According to backup astronaut Walter Cunningham, "We knew that the spacecraft was, you know, in poor shape relative to what it ought to be. We felt like we could fly it, but let's face it, it just wasn't as good as it should have been for the job of flying the first crewed Apollo mission."
Education
Gus Grissom attended Purdue University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1950. His educational background, combined with his military training, equipped him with the skills necessary to excel in the demanding field of aeronautics and space exploration.
Grissom was a World War II and Korean War veteran, mechanical engineer, and USAF test pilot. He was a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with an oak leaf cluster, two NASA Distinguished Service Medals, and, posthumously, the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.
