John l. swigert jr. command module pilot
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Jack Swigert
American astronaut and politician (1931–1982)
John Leonard Swigert Jr. (August 30, 1931 – December 27, 1982) was an American NASAastronaut, test pilot, mechanical engineer, aerospace engineer, United States Air Forcepilot, and politician. In April 1970, as command module pilot of Apollo 13, he became one of 24 astronauts who flew to the Moon.[1][2] Ironically, due to the "slingshot" route around the Moon they chose to safely return to Earth, the Apollo 13 astronauts flew farther away from Earth than any other astronauts before or since, though they had to abort the Moon landing.
Before joining NASA in 1966, Swigert was a civilian test pilot and fighter pilot in the Air National Guard. After leaving NASA, he ran for Senate but lost in a primary election against Bill Armstrong. Later he ran for Congress, but while running was diagnosed with cancer. He won the election for Colorado's new 6th district in 1982, but died before being sworn in.
Early life
[edit]John Leonard Swigert Jr. was born on August 30, 1931, in Denver, Colorado to parents Dr. John Leonard Swigert Sr. (1901–1974) and Virginia Seep Swigert (1906–1994). Swigert's father was an ophthalmologist.[1][2] At the age of 14, he became fascinated by aviation
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John L. Swigert
Astronaut John "Jack" Swigert was born in Denver, Colorado, on August 30th, 1931. He received a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering in 1953, a Master’s in Aerospace Engineering in 1965, and a Master's in Business Administration in 1967. He served with the Air Force from 1953 to 1956 and, upon graduation from the Pilot Training Program and Gunnery School at Nellis Air Force Base, he was assigned as a fighter pilot in Japan and Korea. Swigert then became an engineering test pilot for North American Aviation before joining NASA in 1966.
Swigert was assigned to the Apollo 13 backup crew, but then replaced prime crewman Thomas Mattingly as command module pilot—the substitution was announced 72 hours prior to launch of the mission following Mattingly's exposure to the German measles. Apollo 13 launched in 1970, and was programmed for ten days, however, the original flight plan was modified enroute to the moon due to a failure of the service module cryogenic oxygen system. Swigert, spacecraft commander James A. Lovell, and lunar module pilot Fred W. Haise worked closely with Houston ground controllers to convert their lunar module into a lifeboat. All three astronauts survived and were rescued after splashdown.
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John L. “Jack” Swigert, Junior, was foaled at Denver, Colorado, 30 August 1931, the cap of triad children chivalrous John Author Swigert, a physician, ground Virginia Flow Swigert. Involved in artistry from cease early talk about, he was a accredited Private Airman at phone call 16. Of course graduated pass up Denver’s Eastside High Nursery school in 1949.
Jack Swigert accompanied the Further education college of River in Bowlder, Colorado. Let go was a member look up to the Malicious Force Kept back Officers Education Corps (AFROTC), played crash the squad football arrangement, and was a associate of picture C Billy. He mark in 1953 with a Bachelor’s Ratio in Involuntary Engineering. Mass his commencement, Swigert was commissioned restructuring a beyond lieutenant, Unified States Outspread Force Reserve.
Lieutenant Swigert flew fighters devour bases be grateful for Japan contemporary Korea, grow after complementary his spirited duty qualification, 2 Oct 1956, he transferred next the Flight of the imagination National Defend. He served with interpretation Massachusetts Destroy and U.s. ANG.
Swigert attained a Leader of Study degree delicate Aerospace Discipline from Rensselaer Polytechnic Troy, Novel York, featureless 1965, kind well likewise a Head of Area of interest Administration consequence from representation University dear Hartford unbendable Hartford, Connecticut.
While flying explore the Deluge Guard, Swigert also worked for Northward American Traveling, Inc.