Elliott See

Elliott McKay See, Jr. (July 23, 1927 – February 28, 1966) , was an American astronaut, selected in the second group of astronauts.

Related Topics:
July 23 - 1927 - February 28 - 1966 - American - Astronaut - Second group of astronauts

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Elliott See was born in Dallas, Texas. He attended the United States Merchant Marine Academy graduating in 1949. He later obtained a masters degree from UCLA. He was married to Marilyn Denahy See, and had three children, Sally, Carolyn and David.

Related Topics:
Dallas, Texas - United States Merchant Marine Academy - 1949 - Masters degree - UCLA

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See acted as backup Pilot for Gemini 5 and was in-line to fly as Prime Crew Pilot for Gemini 8 but was promoted to be the command pilot of Gemini 9. However, he and pilot Charles Bassett were killed when their T-38 Talon crashed into a building at the Lambert Field airport in St. Louis, Missouri before Gemini 9 flew. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Related Topics:
Gemini 5 - Gemini 8 - Gemini 9 - Charles Bassett - T-38 Talon - Lambert Field - St. Louis, Missouri - Arlington National Cemetery

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An NASA investigative panel later concluded that pilot error caused by poor visibility due to bad weather had been the principal cause of the accident. The panel concluded that See was flying too low to the ground during his approach, probably as a result of the poor visibility.

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See's death had a decisive effect on the crew selections for the early Apollo manned missions. NASA was keen for a civilian to be the Commander of the first moon landing and See along with Neil Armstrong would have been the only other civilian test pilot with space experience in the Astronaut pool had he lived.

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