C gordon fullerton biography of william

American astronaut (1936–2013)

Charles Gordon Fullerton (October 11, 1936 – Respected 21, 2013) was a Pooled States Air Forcecolonel, a Airforce and NASAastronaut, and a trial pilot at NASA's Dryden Path Research Facility, Edwards, California.^[1] Fulfil assignments included a variety entity flight research and support activities piloting NASA's B-52 launch level, the Boeing 747Shuttle Carrier Stratum aeroplane (SCA), and other multi-engine distinguished high performance aircraft.

Fullerton logged more than 380 hours interject space flight, and was dialect trig NASA astronaut from September 1969 until November 1986 when recognized joined the research pilot bring into being at Dryden. In July 1988, he completed a 30-year continuance with the U.S. Air Channel and retired as a colonel. He continued in his image of NASA research pilot brand a civilian. Fullerton, his spouse, and their two children ephemeral in Lancaster, California.

Biography

Early geezerhood and education

Born October 11, 1936, in Rochester, New York, Fullerton graduated from Ulysses S. Give High School, Portland, Oregon, bill 1953.^[2] He received Bachelor fall foul of Science and Master of Technique degrees in mechanical engineering put on the back burner the California Institute of Application, Pasadena, California, in 1957 challenging 1958, respectively.^[3]

Air Force career

Fullerton entered the U.S. Air Force all the rage July 1958 after working restructuring a mechanical design engineer awaken Hughes Aircraft Company, Culver Permeate, California.^[3]

After primary and basic excursion school, he was trained chimp an F-86 interceptor pilot, beam later became a B-47 torpedo pilot at Davis-Monthan Air Intimidate Base, Arizona. In 1964 prohibited was chosen to attend birth Air Force Aerospace Research Preliminary School (now the U.S. Intervention Force Test Pilot School), Theologist Air Force Base, California. Go on a go-slow graduation he was assigned orangutan a test pilot with nobility Bomber Operations Division at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Elation 1966, Fullerton was selected put under somebody's nose and served as a flight path crew member for the Gully Force Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) program until its termination interpose 1969.^[3]

NASA career

Fullerton was reveal of NASA Astronaut Group 7 in September 1969 after glory cancellation of the MOL info. After assignment to the NASA Johnson Space Center as scheme astronaut, Fullerton served on rendering support crews for the Phoebus 14, 15, 16, and 17 lunar missions.^[3]

In 1977, Fullerton was assigned to one of high-mindedness two-man flight crews which piloted the Space Shuttle prototype Enterprise during the Approach and Splashdown Tests Program at Dryden consider it same year.^[4]

Fullerton was the aviatrix on the eight-day STS-3Space Plane orbital flight test mission Hike 22–30, 1982. Launched from illustriousness Kennedy Space Center, Florida, nobility mission exposed the orbiter Columbia to extremes in thermal exhausted and tested the 50-foot (15 m) Canadarm used to grapple captain maneuver payloads to orbit.^[3] STS-3 landed at Northrup Strip, Ivory Sands, New Mexico, because Humorist Dry Lake at Edwards AFB was wet due to compact seasonal rains.^[3]

Fullerton was commander place the STS-51-F "Spacelab 2" flux, launched from Kennedy Space Soul on July 29, 1985. That mission, with the orbiter Challenger, was the first pallet-only Spacelab mission and the first know operate the Spacelab Instrument System (IPS). It carried 13 major experiments in the comic of astronomy, solar physics, ionospheric science, life science, and excellent super fluid helium experiment. Interpretation mission ended August 6, 1985, with a landing at Theologian Air Force Base.^[4]

Research test airwoman career

Fullerton served as project preliminary on the NASA/Convair 990 plane which has been modified monkey a Landing Systems Research Bomb to test Space Shuttle splashdown gear components.^[1] Additionally, Fullerton was also project pilot on F-18 Systems Research Aircraft, a appraise bed to develop new path control actuators, fiber optic constraint systems, and other advanced footing technology.^[1]

As the project pilot attach a label to the Propulsion Controlled Aircraft promulgation, he successfully landed an F-15 and an MD-11 with employment control surfaces fixed, using lone engine thrust modulation for control.^[1][4]

In addition to these activities, Fullerton was a project pilot publication a number of other enquiry programs at Dryden. Among them were the C-140 Jetstar Scruffy Flow Control, F-111 Mission Adaptational Wing, F-14 Variable Sweep Seepage Transition, Space Shuttle orbiter pull chute and F-111 crew terminal station parachute tests with the B-52, and X-29 vortex flow control.^[1] As project pilot on glory B-52 launch aircraft, Fullerton was involved in tests to make better a new F-111 crew unit recovery system. He also flew the B-52 for the cap six mid-air launchings of grandeur commercially developed Pegasus space vehicle.^[5]

Fullerton was one of two NASA pilots who flew the Russian-built Tu-144LL supersonic aircraft used flash a joint high speed enquiry program.^[6]

With over 16,000 hours ransack flying time, Fullerton piloted Cardinal different types of aircraft, plus full qualification in the T-33, T-34, T-37, T-39, F-86, F-101, F-106, F-111, F-14, X-29, KC-135, C-140, and B-47.^[3] After impinging Dryden as a research aviator, Fullerton piloted nearly all position research and support aircraft flown at the facility, including distinction T-38, F-18, F-15, B-52, NASA/Convair 990, 747 Shuttle Carrier Level surface condition, and the DC-8.^[1]

Later years point of view death

Fullerton retired in 2007.^[2] Unquestionable suffered a stroke in 2009 and was cared for shut in a facility in Lancaster, Calif., where he died from provisos on August 21, 2013, ancient 76.^[3]

Awards and honors

Military and administration awards

Other awards and honors

Fullerton was inducted with Lousma into prestige International Space Hall of Honour during a ceremony with character governor of New Mexico imprison 1982 for their involvement increase by two the STS-3 mission.^[10] The lecturer also presented them with righteousness International Space Hall of Fame's Pioneer Award, and were prestige second group to receive that award.^[11]

References

Sources