Gordon Cooper, Astronaut, Dies, Reports NASA

CNN ^

[good_fight]

Gordon Cooper, one of the nation's first astronauts on the Mercury and Gemini missions, has died, NASA confirms.

[Kornev]

Aww crap. He was the best damn pilot you ever did see.

[So Cal Rocket]

Rest In Peace, Colonel Cooper. One of my earliest heroes.

[fieldmarshaldj]

R.I.P., Hot Dog.

[Mjaye]

I'm sorry to hear this, we are losing so many of the pioneers from that era. I am going to find my copy of "The Right Stuff" and watch it again.

[hole_n_one]

[hole_n_one]

[Howlin]

I just watched From the Earth To the Moon (again) yesterday! All 12 episodes.

[Mat_Helm]

God speed Gordo!

[ClearBlueSky]

Godspeed, Gordo.
Ironic that he leaves us as Spaceship One is making history. Bet he would have loved to ride that bird!

[RaceBannon]

Please provide more of a link, I was just at CNN, did a search for GORDON COOPER DIED and NOTHING showed up for him dying

[Joe Hadenuf]

A *true* American hero!

[Howlin]

Biographical Data	National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas 77058

---

NAME: Leroy Gordon Cooper, Jr. (Colonel, USAF, Ret.)
NASA Astronaut (former)

PERSONAL DATA: Born March 6, 1927 in Shawnee, Oklahoma. His hobbies include treasure hunting, archeology, racing, flying, skiing, boating, hunting and fishing.

EDUCATION: Attended primary and secondary schools in Shawnee, Oklahoma and Murray, Kentucky; received a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in 1956; recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Science degree from Oklahoma City University in 1967.

ORGANIZATIONS: The Society of Experimental Test Pilots, The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, The American Astronautical Society, The Blue Lodge Masons, The York Rite Masons, The Scottish Rite Masons, The Royal Order of Jesters, The Sojourners, The Rotary Club, The Daedalians, The Confederate Air Force, The Boy Scouts of America, The Girl Scouts of America.

SPECIAL HONORS: The Air Force Legion of Merit, The Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross, The Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross Cluster, The NASA Exceptional Service Medal, The NASA Distinguished Service Medal, USAF Command Astronaut Wings, The Collier Trophy, The Harmon Trophy, The Scottish Rite 33°, The York Rite Knight of the Purple Cross, The DeMolay Legion of Honor, The John F. Kennedy Trophy, The Ivan E. Kincheloe Trophy, The Air Force Association Trophy, The Primus Trophy, The John Montgomery Trophy, The General Thomas E. White Trophy, The Association of Aviation Writers Award, The University of Hawaii Regents Medal, The Columbus Medal, The Silver Antelope, The Sport Fishing Society of Spain Award.

EXPERIENCE: Cooper, an Air Force Colonel, received an Army commission after completing three years of schooling at the University of Hawaii. He transferred his commission to the Air Force and was placed on active duty by that service in 1949 and given flight training.

His next assignment was with the 86th Fighter Bomber Group in Munich, Germany, where he flew F-84s and F-86s for four years. While in Munich, he also attended the European Extension of the University of Maryland night school.

He returned to the United States and, after two years of study at AFIT, received his degree. He then reported to the Air Force Experimental Flight Test School at Edwards Air Force Base, California, and, upon graduating in 1957, was assigned as an aeronautical engineer and test pilot in the Performance Engineering Branch of the Flight Test Division at Edwards. His responsibilities there included the flight testing of experimental fighter aircraft.

He has logged more than 7,000 hours flying time--4,000 hours in jet aircraft. He has flown all types of Commercial and General aviation airplane and helicopters.

NASA EXPERIENCE: Colonel Cooper was selected as a Mercury astronaut in April 1959.

On May 15-16, 1963, he piloted the "Faith 7" spacecraft on a 22-orbit mission which concluded the operational phase of Project Mercury. During the 34 hours and 20 minutes of flight, Faith 7 attained an apogee of 166 statue miles and a speed of 17,546 miles per hour and traveled 546,167 statue miles.

Cooper served as command pilot of the 8-day 120-revolution Gemini 5 mission which began on August 21, 1965. It was on this flight that he and pilot Charles Conrad established a new space endurance record by traveling a distance of 3,312,993 miles in an elapsed time of 190 hours and 56 minutes. Cooper also became the first man to make a second orbital flight and thus won for the United States the lead in man-hours in space by accumulating a total of 225 hours and 15 minutes.

He served as backup command pilot for Gemini 12 and as backup commander for Apollo X.

Colonel Cooper has logged 222 hours in space.

He retired from the Air Force and NASA in 1970.

[hole_n_one]

From NASA......

NASA Mourns Loss of Original Mercury 7 Astronaut Gordon Cooper

[Howlin]

Glenn Mahone/Bob Jacobs Headquarters, Washington (Phone: 202/358-1600) James Hartsfield Johnson Space Center, Houston (Phone: 281/483-5111) Bruce Buckingham Kennedy Space Center, Florida (Phone: 321/867-2468)	Oct. 04, 2004
RELEASE : 04-333

NASA Mourns Loss of Original Mercury 7 Astronaut Gordon Cooper

Leroy Gordon Cooper, Jr., (Colonel, USAF, Ret.) an original Mercury 7 astronaut, died earlier today at his home in Ventura, Calif. He was 77 years old. Cooper piloted the sixth and last flight of the Mercury program and later commanded Gemini V.

"As one of the original seven Mercury astronauts, Gordon Cooper was one of the faces of America's fledgling space program. He truly portrayed the right stuff, and he helped gain the backing and enthusiasm of the American public, so critical for the spirit of exploration. My thoughts and prayers are with Gordon's family during this difficult time," said NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe.

"Cooper's efforts and those of his fellow Mercury astronauts, Alan Shepard, Gus Grissom, John Glenn, Scott Carpenter, Wally Schirra and Deke Slayton, serve as reminders of what drives us to explore. They also remind us that to succeed any vision for exploration needs the support of the American people," Administrator O'Keefe said.

The youngest of the original seven astronauts, Cooper's flight in his Faith 7 spacecraft stretched the capabilities of the Mercury capsule to the limits. The mission, May 15 and 16, 1963, lasted more than 34 hours and 22 orbits. That was more than three times the longest U.S. human space flight until that time, and far exceeded the initial design capability of the capsule. During his flight, Cooper became the first astronaut to sleep in space.

"NASA's astronauts extend their deepest sympathies to Gordon Cooper's family," said Kent Rominger, chief of the astronaut office at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. "He was among the first pioneers in space and his achievements inspired many of us to pursue our dreams of exploring our universe. We salute his many accomplishments as an astronaut and as a husband and father. He will be truly missed," he said.

Cooper and Charles Conrad Jr. flew the troubled and suspenseful third flight of the Gemini program in August 1965. The goal of the mission was to prove astronauts could survive in space long enough to perform a lunar mission. During their eight-day mission, they experienced a number of problems with power systems, thruster fuel, venting gas that caused the spacecraft to roll, and more in a seemingly unending series.

But they stayed in orbit for almost 191 hours, 122 orbits in nearly eight days, and got themselves and their spacecraft back intact. In orbit, they accomplished a "shadow rendezvous" with an imaginary spacecraft, an exercise demonstrating it could be done.

Sam Beddingfield, NASA's Mechanical Engineer for Project Mercury said, " He (Cooper) would think about anything and always be willing to give his opinion. He knew what he was doing and could always make things work."

Cooper was born on March 6, 1927, in Shawnee, Okla. He served in the Marine Corps in 1945 and 1946. He then attended the University of Hawaii, where he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. In 1949 he was called to active duty and completed pilot training in the U.S. Air Force. From 1950 to 1954 he was a fighter pilot in Germany.

Norris Gray, NASA's Fire Chief and Emergency Preparedness Officer during the Mercury and Gemini years said, " Cooper never said 'you can't do it,' he was gung-ho on everything. He was a real gentleman from the word go. He led a full life, one that a lot of people would want to live."

Cooper earned a bachelor's degree at the Air Force Institute of Technology in 1956, then completed test pilot school at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. He served as a test pilot there until he was selected as a Mercury astronaut.

Cooper was backup command pilot of Gemini 12, launched in November 1965. He also served as backup command pilot for Apollo 10, which flew in May 1969. He left NASA and retired from the Air Force as a colonel on July 31, 1970.

He founded Gordon Cooper and Associates in 1970. He served as president of the consulting firm that specialized in activities ranging from aerospace to hotel and land development projects. Cooper was a director of a number of other organizations, most specializing in energy, advanced electronics systems, efficient homes, boats and marine systems and equipment.

In 1975, he became vice president for research and development for Walter E. Disney Enterprises Inc. of Glendale, Calif., the research and development subsidiary of Walt Disney Productions.

Throughout his life, Cooper pursued a wide range of activities, both professionally and as hobbies. A NASA biography lists his hobbies as treasure hunting, archaeology, racing, flying, skiing, boating, hunting and fishing. Among his numerous awards were the Air Force Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross with cluster, NASA's Exceptional Service Medal, the Collier Trophy and the Harmon Trophy.

He was the first active-duty military man to address joint sessions of Congress twice. Cooper continued his wide-ranging interests and activities until late in his life. He continued to design and test new aircraft in Southern California. "I get cranky if I don't fly at least three times a month," he told a reporter when he was 71.

Additional information about Cooper including his official NASA biography is available on the Internet at:

http://www.nasa.gov/vision/space/features/cooper_obit.html

[Joe Hadenuf]

In his post-NASA career, Cooper became known as an outspoken believer in UFOs and charged that the government was covering up its knowledge of extraterrestrial activity.

I'm with you Coop!

To bad the politics kept you off the lunar surface.

***********A TRUE AMERICAN HERO !!****************

[quesera]

Aww crap. He was the best damn pilot you ever did see.

And one of my favorite astronauts.

[somerville]

Everyone should rent "The Right Stuff" in Cooper's honor. He's portrayed by a young and wicked Dennis Quaid.

[Petronski]

Gordo!

[quesera]

Rest in peace Gordo.

[Rebelbase]

http://news.google.com/news?q=gordon%20cooper&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wn

[COEXERJ145]

[4.1O dana super trac pak]

BTTT

[rang1995]

"and on that day he flew farther then anybody else" from the right stiff

god speed Gordo

[good_fight]

They had a breaking news banner that is now down. Here's a link to an article now up:

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/10/04/gordon.cooper/index.html

[Glenn]

Another childhood hero off to the promised land.

Ya done good, Gordo.

[fieldmarshaldj]

"from the right stiff"

Oh, dear...

[rang1995]

WHOOPS---sorry

[Jackknife]

Gemini 12 Prime and Back-up Crews - 9-8-66

Prime crew : (front row,r to l)James Lovell, Command Pilot ; Edwin Aldrin, Pilot

Back-up crew : (back row,r to l)Gordon Cooper, Command Pilot ; Eugene Cernan, Pilot

Photo taken in front of Gemini mock-up

[marblehead17]

Go Hot Dog Go!!!!!

[Samwise]

All 12 episodes.

You certainly have stamina.

[Reagan Man]

RIP Gordon Cooper.

One of my childhood heros.

[janetgreen]

RIP, Gordo...

High Flight
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings, Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there, I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long, delirious burning blue I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or even eagle flew. And, while silent, lifting mind I've trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

[Denver Ditdat]

I was in elementary school during the Gemini and Apollo eras, but I lived and breathed the space program. Like most kids my age I wanted to be an astronaut when I grew up. At least part of my lifelong interest in flying and the Navy and civilian aviation careers that followed can be directly attributed to our pioneering astronauts. Those guys were my heroes. Who, I wonder, provides that kind of public role model for kids today?

Godspeed, Colonel Cooper. You'll be missed.

[arasina]

"The Right Stuff" --- I loved that movie and I still love Dennis Quaid because he's still wicked. :o)

Gordon Cooper was one of my childhood heroes along with Gus Grissom, who was born in the same small Indiana town as my mother. May he rest in peace.

[good_fight]

Who, I wonder, provides that kind of public role model for kids today?

Do we even dare to dream that big anymore? Do we have men of that will and character?

I realize those days weren't perfect, but there was something in the American character that was not only "can do" but "will do".

Even the libs -- misguided as they were -- had bold plans. Now it seems anyone with an big idea and a bold plan is nibbled to death by squawking ducks.

[VOA]

From the one script of "The Right Stuff" I could find on the internet...
my apologies for my imperfect editing/formatting and the all-caps:

Reporter:
MR. COOPER! THERE HE IS. BIG SMILE.
WE'RE TALKING TO GORDON COOPER, THE NEXT AMERICAN ASTRONAUT TO
ORBIT THE EARTH.
SINCE YOU'RE THE LAST OF THE ORIGINAL SEVEN AND THE LEAST WELL-KNOWN,
TELL US,
WHO WAS THE BEST PILOT YOU EVER SAW?


Gordon Cooper:
WHO WAS THE BEST PILOT I EVER SAW? WHO WAS THE BEST PILOT I EVER SAW?
WELL, I'LL TELL YOU... I SEEN A LOT OF THEM.
MOST OF THEM ARE PICTURES ON A WALL.


Reporter:
WHAT DID YOU SAY?


Gordon Cooper:
PICTURES ON A WALL, BACK AT SOME PLACE... THAT DOESN'T EVEN EXIST ANYMORE.


Reporter:
MR. COOPER, SPEAK UP.


Gordon Cooper:
SOME OF THEM ARE... RIGHT HERE IN THIS ROOM, AND SOME OF THEM
ARE STILL OUT THERE SOMEWHERE, DOING WHAT THEY ALWAYS DO--
GOING UP EACH DAY IN A HURTLING PIECE OF MACHINERY,
PUTTING THEIR HIDES OUT ON THE LINE, HANGING IT OUT OVER
THE EDGE, PUSHING THAT ENVELOPE AND HAULING IT IN.

BUT THERE WAS ONE PILOT I ONCE SAW WHO I THINK TRULY DID HAVE
THE RIGHT--


Reporter:
HOW CLOSE WERE YOU TO NOT HAULING IT BACK?


Gordon Cooper:
WHO WAS THE BEST PILOT I EVER SAW? WELL, UH...YOU'RE LOOKING AT HIM.


(VOA's humble opinion: Dennis Quaid will never top that scene)

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

My heroes have always been astronauts...

Just damn.

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

The Mekons
Ghosts Of American Astronauts

Up in the hills above Bradford
Outside the Napalm factory
(They're floating above us)
Ghosts of American Astronauts
Glow in the headlights beam

It's just a small step for him
It's a nice break from Vietnam
(Filmed in a factory)
Out on the back lot in Houston
Who says the world isn't flat

John Glenn drinks cocktails with God
In a cafe in downtown Saigon
(High above them)
Ghosts of American Astronauts
Are drifting too close to the sun

Chorus:

A flag flying in the vacuum
Nixon sucks a dry Martini
Ghosts of American astronauts
Stay with us in our dreams


(Okay, its not the greatest tribute but I like the song and it came to mind.)

[somerville]

Yours is not a humble opinion. It's the truth: Dennis Quaid will never top that scene. I get a little teary thinking about it.

[Frank_Discussion]

I'm as upset as anyone about Gordo leaving us, but "the right stiff" is undeniably funny. I'm betting he's already laughing about it himself!

Godspeed and R.I.P., Gordon Cooper.

[7.62 x 51mm]

RIP, Coop.

[VOA]

It's the truth: Dennis Quaid will never top that scene. I get a little teary thinking about it.

D-mn straight.
It was a fine turn of acting...Quaid played the consummate hot-shot pilot, then for
a moment really remembers he's not the only great pilot. But just for a moment!

The scene gives me a bit of a sad feeling when I hear that we may right now be in the
process of building our last manned fighter.

[VOA]

If any poster made Gordon Cooper smile tonight...it was you (with that beautiful typo!)

[Tallguy]

He served as backup command pilot for Gemini 12 and as backup commander for Apollo X.

I didn't know that Gordon Cooper was still in the crew rotation during Apollo? I thought that he retired during Gemini...

[Joe Hadenuf]

Hey, there's always Queerguy, or My Daddy the Mom, or the new one, Slutty Housewives on drugs.....

[RadioAstronomer]

Awww Damn! :-(

[woofie]

"The Right Stuff" is the best

RIP Gordo

[Intolerant in NJ]

Everyone should rent "The Right Stuff" in Cooper's honor. He's portrayed by a young and wicked Dennis Quaid...and that great line when Gordo finally went into space (approximately) - "and on that day Gordon Cooper became the greatest pilot who had ever flown"........

[asgardshill]

John Glenn drinks cocktails with God
In a cafe in downtown Saigon

He's still alive, last time I checked. And the only former astronaut from that era for whom I don't hold the highest respect. He gave Clinton a pass on his sink emperor exploits.