# Deke Slayton

> American astronaut (1924–1993)

**Wikidata**: [Q336810](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q336810)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deke_Slayton)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/deke-slayton

## Summary
Deke Slayton was an American astronaut (1924-1993) who served as one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts and later became NASA's Director of Flight Crew Operations. He is best known for being the oldest person to fly in space at age 51 on the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975.

## Biography
- Born: March 1, 1924
- Nationality: United States
- Education: University of Minnesota
- Known for: Being one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts and Director of NASA's Flight Crew Operations
- Employer(s): NASA, U.S. Air Force, University of Minnesota, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, Air Command and Staff College
- Field(s): Astronaut, test pilot, aerospace engineering

## Contributions
1. Slayton was selected as one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts in 1959, becoming part of America's first group of astronauts.
2. He served as NASA's Director of Flight Crew Operations from 1962 to 1972, responsible for crew assignments.
3. At age 51, Slayton flew on the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975, becoming the oldest person to fly in space at that time.
4. He authored his autobiography documenting his experiences in the space program.
5. A cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station was named "S.S. Deke Slayton" in his honor.

## FAQs
**Who was Deke Slayton?**
Deke Slayton was an American astronaut born in 1924 who became one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts. He later served as NASA's Director of Flight Crew Operations before finally flying in space at age 51 on the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project.

**What was Deke Slayton's role in the Mercury program?**
Slayton was selected as one of the first seven astronauts for NASA's Project Mercury in 1959, which was America's first human spaceflight program. However, due to a heart condition discovered in 1962, he was initially grounded from flight assignments.

**Did Deke Slayton ever fly in space?**
Yes, after being medically cleared, Slayton finally flew in space at age 51 on the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975, becoming the oldest person to fly in space at that time.

**What positions did Deke Slayton hold at NASA?**
Slayton served as NASA's Director of Flight Crew Operations from 1962 to 1972, where he was responsible for crew assignments and astronaut training before being promoted to Director of Space Shuttle and Skylab Programs.

**What awards did Deke Slayton receive?**
Slayton received the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, and was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame and the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame.

**Why was a cargo mission named after Deke Slayton?**
The Cygnus CRS Orb-3 cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station was named "S.S. Deke Slayton" in honor of his contributions to the American space program and his role as one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts.

## Why They Matter
Deke Slayton played a pivotal role in America's space program as both an astronaut and an administrator. As one of the original Mercury Seven, he helped establish the foundation for human spaceflight in the United States. His tenure as Director of Flight Crew Operations was instrumental in crew selection and training for Mercury, Gemini, and early Apollo missions. Despite being initially grounded for medical reasons, he persevered and eventually became the oldest person to fly in space at age 51 on the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project. His leadership and dedication to the space program helped ensure the success of America's early human spaceflight efforts, and his autobiography provided valuable firsthand accounts of the early space program for future generations.

## Notable For
- One of the original Mercury Seven astronauts selected in 1959
- Served as NASA's Director of Flight Crew Operations from 1962 to 1972
- Became the oldest person to fly in space at age 51 on the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (1975)
- Authored an autobiography documenting his space program experiences
- The Cygnus CRS Orb-3 cargo mission was named "S.S. Deke Slayton" in his honor
- Received the NASA Distinguished Service Medal
- Inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame
- Inducted into the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Deke Slayton was born on March 1, 1924. He attended the University of Minnesota, where he pursued his education before embarking on his military and aviation career.

### Military Service
Slayton served in the U.S. Air Force, where he gained extensive experience as a pilot. He also attended the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, where he trained as a test pilot, and the Air Command and Staff College for advanced military education.

### NASA Career
In 1959, Slayton was selected as one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts, becoming part of America's first group of astronauts. This group was instrumental in establishing the foundation for human spaceflight in the United States.

From 1962 to 1972, Slayton served as NASA's Director of Flight Crew Operations. In this role, he was responsible for crew assignments and astronaut training for the Mercury, Gemini, and early Apollo missions. Despite being selected as an astronaut, Slayton was initially grounded from flight assignments in 1962 due to a heart condition discovered during a routine medical examination.

Later in his career, Slayton was promoted to Director of Space Shuttle and Skylab Programs, where he continued to play a significant role in NASA's operations.

### Space Flight
After being medically cleared, Slayton finally achieved his dream of flying in space at age 51. On July 15, 1975, he served as the Docking Module Pilot for the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, becoming the oldest person to fly in space at that time. This mission marked the first joint U.S.-Soviet spaceflight and symbolized the easing of tensions during the Cold War.

### Authorship
Slayton authored his autobiography, documenting his experiences as an astronaut and administrator in America's space program. This work provided valuable firsthand accounts of the early space program for future generations.

### Recognition and Legacy
Slayton received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the NASA Distinguished Service Medal and the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal. He was inducted into both the National Aviation Hall of Fame and the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame in recognition of his contributions to aviation and space exploration.

In 2014, a cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station, Cygnus CRS Orb-3, was named "S.S. Deke Slayton" in his honor. Although this mission ended in a launch failure when the Antares rocket exploded seconds after liftoff, the naming served as a tribute to his significant contributions to the American space program.

Slayton passed away on June 13, 1993, but his legacy continues to inspire future generations of astronauts and space enthusiasts. His life story exemplifies perseverance and dedication to the exploration of space.

## References

1. [Source](https://searchpub.nssc.nasa.gov/servlet/sm.web.Fetch/Agency_Awards_Historical_Recipient_List.pdf?rhid=1000&did=2120817&type=released)
2. [Source](https://www.nmspacemuseum.org/inductee/donald-k-slayton/)
3. [Slayton to Join Space Hall of Fame. El Paso Times. 1990](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29964813/el_paso_times/)
4. International Standard Name Identifier
5. [Source](http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/about/history/mercury7.html)
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. [Source](http://www.spacefacts.de/english/e_first.htm)
8. SNAC
9. Find a Grave
10. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
11. BnF authorities
12. Babelio
13. Munzinger Personen
14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
15. IdRef
16. Quora