United States Astronaut. He held the distinction as being the first commander of the Space Shuttle Challenger (1983). After attaining his Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Penn State University, he enlisted with the United States Navy and served on a destroyer. He went on to train as a pilot and received his wings in 1956. He received a Commendation Medal for his service as a combat pilot during the Vietnam War. He chose to pursue a career as an astronaut and was accepted by NASA in 1966 for the Apollo Program. Weitz was selected as part of the crew for Skylab II (1973); the first manned mission to Skylab which also included members Commander Charles 'Pete' Conrad, Jr., and Dr. Joseph Kerwin. The objective was to execute repairs on the damaged Skylab 1 Space Station. Weitz served as Command Module pilot. At that time, the crew members held the record of 28 days in space (May 25, 1973 to June 22, 1973). In 1983, Weitz returned to space as commander of the sixth Space Shuttle mission and was the first to command The Challenger. He later served as deputy director for the Johnson Space Center in Houston. He died of complication from Myelodysplastic Syndrome; a type of blood cancer.
United States Astronaut. He held the distinction as being the first commander of the Space Shuttle Challenger (1983). After attaining his Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Penn State University, he enlisted with the United States Navy and served on a destroyer. He went on to train as a pilot and received his wings in 1956. He received a Commendation Medal for his service as a combat pilot during the Vietnam War. He chose to pursue a career as an astronaut and was accepted by NASA in 1966 for the Apollo Program. Weitz was selected as part of the crew for Skylab II (1973); the first manned mission to Skylab which also included members Commander Charles 'Pete' Conrad, Jr., and Dr. Joseph Kerwin. The objective was to execute repairs on the damaged Skylab 1 Space Station. Weitz served as Command Module pilot. At that time, the crew members held the record of 28 days in space (May 25, 1973 to June 22, 1973). In 1983, Weitz returned to space as commander of the sixth Space Shuttle mission and was the first to command The Challenger. He later served as deputy director for the Johnson Space Center in Houston. He died of complication from Myelodysplastic Syndrome; a type of blood cancer.
Bio by: C.S.
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