Jack R. Lousma
Jack Robert Lousma was a Marine Corps aviator, astronaut, and one of the Apollo-era crew members whose career extended into Skylab and the Space Shuttle. Born in Michigan, he studied aeronautical engineering at the University of Michigan, became a Marine Corps officer and naval aviator, and later earned a graduate degree from the United States Naval Postgraduate School. NASA selected him in Astronaut Group 5 in 1966.
- Born
- February 29, 1936
- Died
- N/A
- Birthplace
- Grand Rapids, Michigan,United States
Flights
2
Spacewalks
2
EVA time
11 hours, 1 minute
In space
67 days, 11 hours, 13 minutes
Bio
Lousma worked in Apollo support roles before making his first flight. He was one of the communicators during Apollo 13 and was on console when the crew reported the oxygen-tank explosion. That support work placed him close to one of NASA's most demanding crisis recoveries, even before he flew in space himself.
In 1973, Lousma flew as pilot on Skylab 3, the second crewed mission to the United States' first . The crew spent nearly two months in orbit conducting science, medical research, solar observations, and repair work. Lousma later commanded STS-3, an early orbital test flight of Space Shuttle Columbia. His career linked Apollo operations, long-duration station work, and the first years of shuttle flight testing.
Lousma's background fit the broader pattern of the early astronaut corps: technical training, operational discipline, and a career built around difficult work before spaceflight. His formal education included University of Michigan (B.S. Aeronautical Engineering, 1959), and United States Naval Postgraduate School (M.S. Aeronautical Engineering, 1965). His service background is recorded as Colonel, United States Marine Corps. His personal record also sits alongside a family life recorded as married, four children, a reminder that these careers unfolded within ordinary lives as well as national history.