Charles pete conrad biography

American astronaut and lunar explorer (1930–1999)

For other people with similar names, see Peter Conrad and Charles Conrad.

Charles "Pete" Conrad Jr. (June 2, 1930 – July 8, 1999) was an American NASAastronaut, aeronautical engineer, naval officer, aviator, and test pilot who commanded the Apollo 12 mission, on which he became the third person to walk on the Moon.

Charles pete conrad biography

Conrad was selected for NASA's second astronaut class in 1962.

Despite having dyslexia, Conrad earned his Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from Princeton University—being the first Ivy League astronaut—and joined the U.S.

Navy. In 1954 he received his naval aviator wings, served as a fighter pilot and, after graduating from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (Class 20), as a project test pilot. In 1959 he was an astronaut candidate for Project Mercury.

Conrad set an eight-day space endurance record in 1965 along with his Command Pilot Gordon Cooper on his first spacefligh