NASA Astronaut Group 3

NASA Astronaut Group 3, also called "The Fourteen," was a team of fourteen astronauts chosen by NASA to help with the Gemini and Apollo programs. The Apollo spacecraft needed three people, so more astronauts were needed. NASA announced their choice in October 1963. Sadly, four of them died in training before they could go to space. The ten who survived all flew on Apollo missions. Five of them also flew on Gemini missions: David Scott, Gene Cernan, Michael Collins, Richard Gordon, and Buzz Aldrin.

Aldrin, Alan Bean, Cernan, and Scott walked on the Moon, while Bill Anders, Collins, and Gordon flew around the Moon but did not land. Seven of the astronauts came from the United States Air Force, four from the United States Navy, one from the United States Marine Corps, and two were civilians who had military experience: Walter Cunningham and Rusty Schweickart.

This group was special because they did not all need to be test pilots. Instead, they could have 1,000 hours of flying a jet aircraft. The astronauts learned a lot about science and technology to get ready for possible trips to the Moon. They also went on trips to learn about geology.

Background

The launch of the Sputnik 1 satellite by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957, started a big competition called the Space Race. This race led the United States to create a new agency called NASA. NASA started Project Mercury to send people into space. The first group of astronauts, called the "Mercury Seven", was announced in 1959.

When Yuri Gagarin from the Soviet Union became the first person to orbit Earth in 1961, the United States set a bigger goal: to send someone to the Moon by the end of the decade, called Project Apollo. In 1962, NASA said they were looking for a second group of astronauts for Project Gemini. By 1963, NASA knew they would need more astronauts for the Apollo missions, so they began looking for a third group.

Selection criteria

Most of the rules for choosing astronauts were the same as before. Candidates needed to be U.S. citizens, no taller than 6 feet, and have a degree in engineering or science. They also had to be recommended by their employer.

There were two small changes this time. Being a test-pilot was no longer required, but having 1,000 hours flying jet-aircraft was okay. Also, the maximum age for candidates was lowered to less than 34 years old by June 30, 1963.

Selection process

NASA needed more astronauts for its space missions. They formed a panel to choose new ones. The panel had famous astronauts and a test pilot. Hundreds of people applied and many took tests to see if they could do the job. The tests checked their hearts, running, and other challenges.

Finally, the panel interviewed the best candidates. Thirteen people were chosen, but one more was added to make it a lucky number. On October 18, 1963, NASA announced the new astronauts, who were nicknamed "The Fourteen."

Demographics

NASA chose fourteen astronauts for the Gemini and Apollo programs in October 1963, called "The Fourteen." Seven were from the United States Air Force, including Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin and Michael Collins. Four were from the United States Navy, such as Alan Bean and Gene Cernan. One was from the United States Marine Corps, and two were civilians.

At the time they were chosen, all were married except for Clifton Williams, who was the first bachelor astronaut. Most had children. All the astronauts in this group were male and white. Some women and an African-American pilot, Ed Dwight, applied but were not selected.

Group members

The NASA Astronaut Group 3, also called "The Fourteen," was a team of fourteen astronauts chosen by NASA. They were chosen to help with the Gemini and Apollo missions. The Apollo spacecraft needed three people, so NASA needed more astronauts. NASA announced this group in October 1963.

Training and activities

The fourteen astronauts, called "The Fourteen," learned many important skills to get ready for space travel. They studied topics like astronomy, aerodynamics, computers, and space medicine for 240 hours. They also visited places like the Grand Canyon to learn about rocks and earth science.

Each astronaut had a special area to study, such as mission planning or spacecraft controls, to help the team. They were split into two groups: one for the Apollo project, led by astronaut Gordon Cooper, and another for the Gemini project, led by Neil Armstrong.