Astronaut Gerald “Jerry” Carr died Wednesday at the age of 88. Selected for NASA’s astronaut program in April 1966, Carr performed Capcom tasks during the Apollo 8 and Apollo 12 missions and was involved in the development and testing of the lunar spacecraft (LRV) used by Apollo flight crews. On November 16, 1973, he launched the Skylab 4 mission, served as mission commander and spent 84 days in orbit. He retired from NASA in 1977 and founded CAMUS Incorporated, an aerospace consulting firm, in 1984.
“NASA and the nation have lost a long-term pioneer in spaceflight,” said NASA Director Jim Bridenstine. “We extend our condolences to the family and loved ones of astronaut Gerald ‘Jerry’ Carr, whose work provided a deeper understanding of life on Earth and in space. … We remember and honor his life and his contributions to the people. ”
Carr was born in Denver, Colorado, on August 22, 1932. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1949 and served as a Marine test pilot, recording more than 8,000 flight times on aircraft such as the F-9, F-6A Skyray and F-8 Crusader. . Carr holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Southern California and Aeronautical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School along with a Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Princeton University. He has received awards including the 1973 Robert J. Collier Trophy (as part of the Skylab team), NASA Distinguished Service Medal and the Robert H. Goddard Memorial Trophy. Carr was inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame in 1997.
