Slayton, Donald K., 1924-1993
Person
Dates
- Existence: 1924 March 1 - 1993 June 13
Biographical Note: Deke Slayton
Donald Kent "Deke" Slayton was a pilot for the United States Air Force, an aeronautical engineer, test pilot and then astronaut, who was selected as one of NASA's original Mercury Seven astronauts. He was born in Sparta, Wisconsin on March 1, 1924. During World War II, he joined the United States Army Air Force. Following the end of the war he attended the University of Minnesota and received his Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering in 1949. He later joined the United States Air Force where he was a pilot. His experience led him to be selected as one of the astronauts for the Mercury Program. He later became NASA's first Chief of the Astronaut Office and Director of Flight Crew Operations, responsible for NASA crew assignments. Slayton passed away on June 13, 1993 in League City, Texas.
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
Deke Slayton Mercury Program Notebook
Collection — Box: Slayton Collections Box 1
Identifier: 2011-12-03
Content Description
The Deke Slayton Mercury Program Notebook is a small collection consisting of a single item: a spiral bound "steno"-style notebook of handwritten notes by Deke Slayton during the Mercury Program. Written on the cover is the text, “Astro Affairs Organization of 1st Astronaut Office." The contents of the notebook illustrate the organizational structure of the department, problems that needed to be addressed, future program plans, and policies that were to be published. Each of these topics are...