Thomas Kenneth Mattingly II was a United States Navy rear admiral and NASA astronaut who performed the second deep space extravehicular activity in history. Born in Chicago in 1936, he navigated a career from carrier-based naval aviation to the forefront of lunar exploration, ultimately becoming one of only 24 people to reach the Moon during the Apollo program.
Early Career and Training
After graduating from Miami Edison High School in 1954 and earning a degree in aeronautical engineering from Auburn University in 1958, Mattingly entered the U.S. Navy. He received his aviator wings in 1960, initially flying Douglas A-1H Skyraiders from the USS Saratoga. He later transitioned to Douglas A-3B Skywarrior jets while deployed on the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. His path to NASA began at the U.S. Air Force Aerospace Research Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, where he was selected for the astronaut corps in April 1966.
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Mattingly served on the support crew for Apollo 8 and as a backup command module pilot for Apollo 11. His trajectory shifted significantly with Apollo 13; he was removed from the primary crew three days before launch due to exposure to German measles. While Jack Swigert replaced him in flight, Mattingly remained at mission control, providing critical support to the ground team as they devised procedures to power the crippled spacecraft safely back to Earth.
Lunar Mission and Shuttle Flights
As the command module pilot for Apollo 16 in April 1972, Mattingly spent his time in lunar orbit conducting extensive geochemical mapping and photographic surveys of the Moon while his colleagues explored the Descartes Highlands. During the return trip to Earth, he performed a deep space EVA to retrieve film cassettes. Mattingly later expanded his spaceflight experience by piloting the Space Shuttle during STS-4 and commanding the STS-51-C mission, making him one of the few individuals to fly both Apollo and Shuttle hardware.
Fast facts
- Born: 1936, Chicago
- Died: 2023, Arlington County
- Education: Auburn University
- Military Rank: Rear Admiral
- Lunar Mission: Apollo 16
- Notable Awards: NASA Distinguished Service Medal
- Hall of Fame: United States Astronaut Hall of Fame
- Space Shuttle Missions: STS-4, STS-51-C
Questions readers ask
Why was Ken Mattingly removed from the Apollo 13 crew?
He was removed three days prior to launch because he had been exposed to German measles.
What specific task did Mattingly perform during the return leg of Apollo 16?
He conducted an extravehicular activity to retrieve film cassettes from the command and service module.
Achievements
- United States Astronaut Hall of Fame
- International Space Hall of Fame — 1983
- Affiliated with National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Educated at Auburn University, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School and Miami Edison High School
- Worked as military officer, astronaut and aircraft pilot
