Who Is John Young (astronaut)? Age, Biography, and Wiki
John Young was born on September 24, 1930, and passed away on January 5, 2018. As of 2025, he would have been 95 years old. With a storied career as an astronaut, Young was not only a space pioneer but also a revered lunar explorer. He was the first person to fly to the Moon twice, as part of the Apollo 10 and Apollo 16 missions.
His journey began in 1962 when he was selected as one of NASA’s second group of astronauts. He played a crucial role in several space missions over the decades, contributing significantly to the US space program.
| Occupation | Autobiographer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | September 24, 1930 |
| Age | 87 Years |
| Birth Place | San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Libra |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 5 January, 2018 |
| Died Place | Houston, Texas, U.S. |
Popularity
John Young (astronaut)'s Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
John Young stood at an impressive height of 6 feet (183 cm) and weighed approximately 170 lbs (77 kg). Known for his athletic build, he maintained a healthy lifestyle, which included regular physical fitness activities, especially during his rigorous astronaut training.
On May 18, 1969, Apollo 10 launched at 11:49 a.m. After the trans-lunar injection (TLI) burn, Young successfully docked the command module with the lunar module. Young took celestial navigation measurements while en route to the Moon as a contingency for a loss of communication.
Apollo 10 completed one midcourse correction, and Young performed the retrograde maneuver to bring the spacecraft into orbit 110 km above the lunar surface. On May 22, Stafford and Cernan entered the lunar module but were concerned that the docking ports' alignment had slipped by 3.5°. Apollo Program Spacecraft manager George M.
Low determined that it was within acceptable limits, and the two spacecraft undocked. Young examined the lunar module after the two spacecraft were separated by 9 m and then maneuvered the command module 3.5 km away. Stafford and Cernan began their descent and flew the lunar module down to 14.447 km above the lunar surface.
The lunar module crew tested the abort guidance system but had accidentally changed its setting from "attitude hold" to "automatic". As they prepared for the ascent, the lunar module began maneuvering as its automatic setting caused it to search for the command module.
Stafford regained control of the spacecraft and flew the ascent towards the meeting with the command module. Young flew alone in the command module and prepared to maneuver to the lunar module in the event that its ascent engine did not work. Once the lunar module rendezvoused with the command module, Young successfully docked the two spacecraft.
The crew transferred to the command module and undocked from the lunar module, which was flown by Mission Control into a solar orbit. While still in lunar orbit, Young tracked landmarks in preparation for a lunar landing, then flew the trans-Earth injection (TEI) maneuver.
On May 26, Apollo 10 reentered the Earth's atmosphere and safely landed 690 km from Samoa. It landed 6 km from its recovery ship, the USS Princeton (CV-37), and the crew was recovered by helicopter.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
John Young was married to Hannah Young for over 30 years until her passing in 1994. They had three children together. While little information is publicly available regarding his dating life, Young focused chiefly on his aerospace career and family life. His commitment to his family and profession was prominent throughout his life.
Luke's Hospital in San Francisco, California, on September 24, 1930, to William Hugh Young, a civil engineer, and Wanda Young (Howland). His father lost his job during the Great Depression, and the family moved to Cartersville, Georgia, in 1932. In 1936, the family moved to Orlando, Florida, where he attended Princeton Elementary School.
When Young was five years old, his mother was diagnosed with schizophrenia and taken to Florida State Hospital. Soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Young's father joined the U.S. Navy as a Seabee and left Young and his younger brother Hugh in the care of a housekeeper.
Young's father returned after the war and became a plant superintendent for a citrus company. Young attended Orlando High School, where he competed in football, baseball, and track and field, before he graduated in 1948.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his retirement from NASA, John Young's estimated net worth was around $1.5 million. He earned a substantial salary during his career with NASA, coupled with his work as an aerospace engineer and author. His position as a senior astronaut and later as a leader in various NASA missions contributed significantly to his financial status.
Career, Business, and Investments
John Young's career was nothing short of remarkable. He served in the United States Navy as a fighter pilot before his illustrious career at NASA. He participated in various missions, including:
- Gemini 3 and Gemini 10 – where he helped perfect spacewalks.
- Apollo 10, a dress rehearsal for the landing on the Moon.
- Apollo 16, where he commanded his team on a successful lunar landing.
In September 1962, Young was selected to join NASA Astronaut Group 2. Young and his family moved to Houston, Texas, and he began his astronaut flying, physical, and academic training. After he completed his initial training, Young was assigned to work on the environmental control system and survivor gear.
Young's team selected the David Clark Company G3C pressure suit, and he helped develop the waste disposal and airlock development systems.
Social Network
While John Young's primary social engagement was through his professional life at NASA, his legacy continues to inspire many, evident through numerous online forums, tribute pages, and dedicated fans on social media platforms honoring his work. His contributions are celebrated within the astronaut and space exploration communities across various social networking sites like Twitter, where enthusiasts and professionals share memories and discuss his impact.
Education
Young graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1952, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. His education laid the groundwork for his exceptional career in aerospace engineering and piloting, eventually leading him to become one of the most respected astronauts in history.
John Watts Young (September 24, 1930 – January 5, 2018) was an American astronaut, naval officer and aviator, test pilot, and aeronautical engineer. He became the 9th person to walk on the Moon as commander of the Apollo 16 mission in 1972.
