The Skylab 4 mission, which concluded in 1974, remains a defining achievement of William R. Pogue’s career, as he and his crew established an 84-day endurance record in space that stood for two decades. Throughout his tenure as a United States Air Force colonel and NASA astronaut, he moved from combat aviation to orbital research.
Military and Academic Foundation
Born in 1930 in Okemah, Oklahoma, Pogue pursued an early interest in aviation. After graduating from Oklahoma Baptist University in 1951, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he completed pilot training. He flew 43 combat missions during the Korean War and served as an aerobatics pilot with the Thunderbirds. His academic background included a Master of Science in Mathematics from Oklahoma State University, which he later applied as an assistant professor at the United States Air Force Academy.
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Pogue transitioned into test flight roles during the 1960s. He graduated from the Empire Test Pilots' School in England, completing an exchange program with the Royal Air Force. His expertise in testing various aircraft types led to an instructor position at the U.S. Air Force Aerospace Research Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base before he was selected for the NASA astronaut program in 1966.
NASA Missions and Skylab
Selected in Group 5 of the Apollo program, Pogue served on the support crews for Apollo 7, 11, 13, and 14. His primary space flight came as pilot of Skylab 4, lasting from November 1973 to February 1974. During this mission, the crew performed extensive solar observations, Earth resource experiments, and maintenance on the orbital workshop. He logged over 13 hours of extravehicular activity before retiring from the military and NASA in 1975.
Consultancy and Authorship
Following his retirement, Pogue worked as an aerospace consultant for firms such as Boeing and Martin Marietta, contributing to space station development. He was also a public speaker and author. His writing included the 1985 book How Do You Go to the Bathroom in Space? and the 1992 science-fiction novel The Trikon Deception. He resided in Cocoa Beach, Florida, until his death in 2014.
Fast facts
- Born: 1930, Okemah, Oklahoma
- Died: 2014, Cocoa Beach, Florida
- Education: Oklahoma Baptist University, Oklahoma State University
- Military Rank: Colonel
- Space Mission: Skylab 4
- Flight Time: 7,200 total hours
- Awards: NASA Distinguished Service Medal, United States Astronaut Hall of Fame
- Notable Role: Assistant Professor, U.S. Air Force Academy
Questions readers ask
How long was Pogue's record-breaking space mission?
The Skylab 4 mission lasted 84 days, 1 hour, and 15 minutes.
Did Pogue participate in any extravehicular activities?
Yes, he logged 13 hours and 34 minutes in two separate EVAs outside the Skylab orbital workshop.
Achievements
- United States Astronaut Hall of Fame
- Affiliated with National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Educated at Oklahoma Baptist University, Oklahoma State University and U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School
- Worked as military officer, astronaut and autobiographer
