The seventh human to set foot on the lunar surface, David Scott navigated a distinguished career as a test pilot and NASA astronaut. His trajectory moved from elite military flight training and rigorous academic engineering study at MIT to commanding critical missions during the height of the United States space program in the 1960s and 1970s.
Military Foundation and Academic Training
Born in 1932 in San Antonio, Scott pursued a structured path into aviation through the United States Military Academy, graduating fifth in his class in 1954. He served as a fighter pilot in Europe with the 32nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, flying F-86 and F-100 aircraft. To transition into elite test piloting, he attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, earning both a Master of Science and an Engineer in Aeronautics/Astronautics degree in 1962.
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Selected for the third group of astronauts in 1963, Scott began his space career as a pilot for the 1966 Gemini 8 mission alongside Neil Armstrong. The flight ended in an emergency abort after just eleven hours in orbit. By 1969, he served as the Command Module Pilot for Apollo 9, spending ten days in space to conduct extensive testing of the Apollo spacecraft systems.
Apollo 15 Command
In July 1971, Scott served as commander for Apollo 15, the fourth crewed lunar landing and the first designated J mission. Along with James Irwin, he spent three days on the surface of the Moon. Following the mission, he faced administrative consequences after it was discovered that the crew had carried unauthorized postal covers to the lunar surface.
Career Transition
Scott retired from the United States Air Force with the rank of colonel in 1975. He subsequently transitioned to leadership roles within NASA, serving as the director of the Dryden Flight Research Center in California until his departure from the agency in 1977. In his later years, he provided technical consultation for films depicting the history of the American space program.
Fast facts
- Born: 1932, San Antonio
- Military Rank: Colonel
- Education: United States Military Academy; MIT; University of Michigan
- Space Missions: Gemini 8; Apollo 9; Apollo 15
- Role on Apollo 15: Commander
- NASA Retirement Year: 1977
- Awards: NASA Distinguished Service Medal (1969, 1971, 1978)
- Hall of Fame Inductions: International Space Hall of Fame (1982); United States Astronaut Hall of Fame
Questions readers ask
How many times did David Scott fly into space?
He flew three times: as pilot of Gemini 8, Command Module Pilot of Apollo 9, and commander of Apollo 15.
What rank did Scott hold upon retiring from the Air Force?
He retired in 1975 holding the rank of colonel.
Achievements
- United States Astronaut Hall of Fame
- International Space Hall of Fame — 1982
- Affiliated with National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Educated at University of Michigan, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School
- Worked as military officer, test pilot and astronaut
