Colonel, pilot, and astronaut who flew on two Space Shuttle missions, including the first Spacelab mission, and was a test pilot at Edwards Air Force Base. He was also a decorated Vietnam War veteran.
Robert F. Overmyer was an American test pilot, naval aviator, aeronautical engineer, physicist, and NASA astronaut, known for his remarkable career in the space program, including flying on two Space Shuttle missions and serving as a lead investigator into the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
Overmyer was born on July 14, 1936, in Lorain, Ohio, and grew up in Westlake, Ohio. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America, earning the rank of First Class. He graduated from Westlake High School in 1954 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from Baldwin-Wallace College in 1958. Overmyer later earned a Master of Science degree in aeronautics with a major in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in 1964.
Overmyer entered active duty with the Marine Corps in January 1958. After completing Navy flight training in Kingsville, Texas, he was assigned to VMA-214 in November 1959. He later attended the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School to study aeronautical engineering, and upon completion, served one year with Marine Maintenance Squadron 17 at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan.
In 1966, Overmyer was selected as an astronaut for the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) program. However, when the program was canceled in 1969, he became a NASA astronaut and served support crew duties for the Apollo program, Skylab program, and Apollo-Soyuz Test Project. In 1976, he was assigned to the Space Shuttle program and flew as pilot on STS-5 in 1982 and as commander on STS-51B in 1985.
In 1986, Overmyer was selected as a lead investigator into the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. His work on the investigation team helped to identify the causes of the tragedy and led to significant safety improvements in the space program.
Robert F. Overmyer's contributions to the space program and his bravery in the face of tragedy have made him a legend in the world of space exploration. His legacy continues to inspire future generations of astronauts and engineers.
Robert F. Overmyer's remarkable career and contributions to space exploration continue to inspire and motivate people around the world.
95 Years Old
First person to walk on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission, marking a historic milestone in space exploration.
95 Years Old
Second man to walk on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission, a pioneering astronaut and advocate for space exploration.
95 Years Old
Led the third manned mission to land on the Moon, Apollo 12, and became the third person to walk on its surface. Known for his bold and fearless approach to space exploration.
Born in 1923
First American in space, commanded Apollo 14 mission, and walked on the Moon.
97 Years Old
American baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1965 to 1975, known for being a four-time All-Star and winning the American League ERA title in 1968.
Born in 1925
One of the original Mercury Seven astronauts, he orbited the Earth in 1962, paving the way for future space exploration. He was also a decorated naval aviator and aquanaut.
Born in 1923
One of the original seven astronauts in Project Mercury, this pioneer flew on three historic spaceflights, including the first American manned orbital flight and the Apollo 7 mission.
98 Years Old
One of the original seven astronauts in Project Mercury, he was the first American to spend over a day in space and the last to fly solo in orbit, paving the way for future space exploration.
