Legendary NASA Flight Director Chris Kraft Dies
Chris Kraft, a legendary figure in the history of NASA’s human spaceflight program, died today at the age of 95. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and many others issued statements praising his service to the country and offering condolences to his family.
We’re saddened by the passing of Chris Kraft, our first flight director. He was a space legend who created the concept of Mission Control during the early human spaceflight program and made it an integral part of the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions. He was 95. pic.twitter.com/HT2T6CArrX
— NASA (@NASA) July 22, 2019
America has truly lost a national treasure today with the passing of one of @NASA’s earliest pioneers – flight director Chris Kraft. We send our deepest condolences to the Kraft family.
Read my full statement: https://t.co/ON72NBamgI pic.twitter.com/wDX7li6QIA
— Jim Bridenstine (@JimBridenstine) July 22, 2019
A giant has left us: Chris Kraft is one with the ages
— Wayne Hale (@waynehale) July 22, 2019
If you appreciate my work in space journalism, you can thank Chris Kraft. As he did with countless others, Chris guided and inspired my career. Here’s my tribute to the legend.https://t.co/YDOP0ncAcO
— Eric Berger (@SciGuySpace) July 22, 2019
The Coalition for Deep Space Exploration joins the nation in mourning the death of Dr. Christopher Columbus Kraft Jr., NASA’s first flight director who served during America’s first crewed spaceflight, orbital flight and spacewalk. pic.twitter.com/kXU6KDGk3w
— Coalition for Deep Space Exploration (@XploreDeepSpace) July 22, 2019
We mourn the loss of Chris Kraft, NASA’s first Flight Director and the driving force behind Mission Control. His impact on the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs cannot be overstated. pic.twitter.com/oN5kbrwoWo
— National Air and Space Museum (@airandspace) July 22, 2019
Chris was an iconic figure around JSC and across NASA. He was a dedicated man of faith who always welcomed and provided me an exceptional leadership example. God’s Peace! – Charlie B. https://t.co/fA4AbilIeu
— Charles Bolden (@cboldenjr) July 23, 2019
If You have the time, here's Chris Kraft speaking on 19 July, 2009 at the John H. Glenn, Jr. Lecture series at .@airandspace ( Archived by .@tmro – https://t.co/8WSMj5Lbwy
— Gene J. Mikulka (@genejm29) July 22, 2019
From the .@NASA_Johnson Oral History Project – A collection of various interviews with Chris Kraft , Jr who passed away today 7/22/19 at age 95 – https://t.co/Zm9HOFmfmk
— Gene J. Mikulka (@genejm29) July 22, 2019
Note: this article has been updated with additional tributes via Twitter.
User Comments
SpacePolicyOnline.com has the right (but not the obligation) to monitor the comments and to remove any materials it deems inappropriate. We do not post comments that include links to other websites since we have no control over that content nor can we verify the security of such links.