Jack Swigert

Jack Swigert
NASA · Public domain · source
Name	Jack Swigert
Birth date	August 30, 1931
Birth place	Denver, Colorado
Death date	December 27, 1982
Death place	Washington, D.C.
Occupation	NASA astronaut
Missions	Apollo 13

Jack Swigert was an American NASA astronaut, engineer, and United States Air Force pilot who was part of the Apollo 13 mission, along with James Lovell and Fred Haise. Swigert's life was marked by his passion for aviation and space exploration, which led him to become a renowned figure in the United States space program. He was also a skilled pilot and engineer, having graduated from the University of Colorado and the United States Air Force Academy. Swigert's experience as a test pilot at Edwards Air Force Base and his involvement with the X-20 Dyna-Soar program also played a significant role in his career.

● Early Life and Education

Jack Swigert was born in Denver, Colorado, to Virginia and John Swigert, and grew up with a strong interest in aviation and engineering. He attended Wheat Ridge High School and later enrolled in the University of Colorado, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering. Swigert's academic background and experience as a United States Air Force pilot made him an ideal candidate for the NASA Astronaut Corps. He was also influenced by the work of Wernher von Braun and the Marshall Space Flight Center team, which contributed to his interest in space exploration. Swigert's education and training were further enhanced by his involvement with the United States Air Force Test Pilot School and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

● Career

Swigert's career as an astronaut began when he was selected as a member of the NASA Astronaut Group 5 in 1966, along with other notable astronauts such as Pete Conrad, Alan Bean, and Richard Gordon. He underwent rigorous training at the Johnson Space Center and was later assigned to the Apollo 13 mission as the Command Module Pilot. Swigert's experience as a test pilot and his knowledge of spacecraft systems made him a valuable asset to the Apollo program. He worked closely with Christopher C. Kraft Jr. and the Mission Control Center team to ensure the success of the mission. Swigert's career was also influenced by the work of Sergei Korolev and the Soviet space program, which contributed to the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union.

● Apollo 13

The Apollo 13 mission was launched on April 11, 1970, with Swigert, James Lovell, and Fred Haise on board. The mission was intended to be the third lunar landing, but an oxygen tank explosion occurred on board, putting the lives of the astronauts at risk. Swigert played a crucial role in the mission, working closely with Mission Control Center to improvise a plan to return the astronauts safely to Earth. The mission was aborted, and the astronauts had to use the Lunar Module as a lifeboat to survive. Swigert's experience and skills as a pilot and engineer were instrumental in the successful return of the astronauts. The mission was supported by the Kennedy Space Center and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory teams, which provided critical assistance during the crisis.

● Later Life and Career

After the Apollo 13 mission, Swigert was assigned to the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, which aimed to establish a cooperative relationship between the United States and the Soviet Union in space exploration. He worked closely with Alexei Leonov and the Soviet space program team to achieve this goal. Swigert also became involved in politics, running for a seat in the United States House of Representatives in 1982. He was also a strong advocate for the Space Shuttle program and worked with NASA Administrator James C. Fletcher to promote the development of the Space Shuttle. Swigert's later life and career were marked by his continued involvement in space exploration and his commitment to promoting the United States space program.

● Death and Legacy

Jack Swigert died on December 27, 1982, at the age of 51, due to complications from cancer. His legacy as an astronaut and engineer continues to inspire new generations of space explorers. Swigert's contributions to the Apollo program and the United States space program are still recognized today, and his bravery and skill during the Apollo 13 mission have become an integral part of space exploration history. The Jack Swigert Aerospace Academy in Colorado was established in his honor, and he was posthumously awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor in 1995. Swigert's legacy is also remembered through the work of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Category:Astronauts