A Tribute to Ken Mattingly: A NASA Pioneer
In a tragic turn of events, former NASA astronaut Ken Mattingly, who was slated to be part of the iconic Apollo 13 mission, passed away on October 31st at the remarkable age of 87. A shining star of the Apollo Program, Mattingly made significant contributions to the success of NASA’s missions and will forever be remembered for his daring spirit and leadership.
“NASA astronaut TK Mattingly was key to the success of our Apollo Program, and his shining personality will ensure he is remembered throughout history,” commented NASA Administrator Bill Nelson in a moving statement released on November 2nd. “As a leader in exploratory missions, TK will be remembered for braving the unknown for the sake of our country’s future.”
Handpicked as part of NASA’s prestigious fifth class of astronauts in 1966, Mattingly journeyed to the moon and successfully led two space shuttle missions during his illustrious career. With a total of 21 days, 4 hours, and 34 minutes spent in space, including an impressive 1 hour and 23 minutes on a spacewalk near the moon, Mattingly cemented his place in history as one of the pioneers of space exploration.
Unfortunately, Mattingly’s journey to the moon was cut short due to his exposure to the German measles virus. Fellow astronaut Charlie Duke unknowingly transmitted the virus to Mattingly, making him vulnerable during the mission. As a precautionary measure, NASA decided to replace Mattingly with his backup, Jack Swigert, just three days before the launch of Apollo 13. Little did they know that this decision would ultimately save Mattingly’s life.
It was during the mission that Apollo 13 encountered a catastrophic explosion, crippling the spacecraft on its way to the moon. Mattingly, although not part of the crew, played a crucial role in ensuring the safe return of Jim Lovell, Fred Haise, and Swigert, working diligently at Mission Control.
Reflecting on his exclusion from the mission, Mattingly expressed gratitude for having avoided the disaster. He revealed, “When my body gets below 60 degrees, it doesn’t function. If I had been stuck up there, I would have absolutely been a disaster. You can go so far on mental activities, but I know me and I know how my body behaves, and it would have shut down. So it would have been more than just unpleasant for me.”
Following the incident, Mattingly was assigned to the crew of Apollo 16, the fifth moon landing mission. On this mission, Mattingly played a vital role as the command module pilot, circling the moon alone aboard the command module “Casper.” Throughout his 3-day, 9-hour, 27-minute journey, Mattingly conducted various scientific experiments and meticulously documented the lunar surface, contributing significantly to our understanding of the moon.
Mattingly’s illustrious career reached its pinnacle when he commanded the STS-4 mission, the fourth flight of the space shuttle program, aboard the orbiter Columbia. Together with pilot Henry “Hank” Hartsfield, Mattingly embarked on a week-long journey that further solidified the advancements in space exploration. Returning to Earth on Independence Day, the significance of the landing was heightened by the presence of President Ronald Reagan, who personally welcomed the crew home.
Mattingly’s final spaceflight was as commander of the STS-51C crew aboard the space shuttle Discovery. While many details of this mission remain classified even today, it remains a testament to Mattingly’s commitment to the advancement of space exploration. His dedication and bravery continue to inspire generations of aspiring astronauts.
Thomas Kenneth “TK” Mattingly II, born on March 17, 1936, in Chicago, made an indelible mark on the world through his exceptional contributions to NASA and his unwavering pursuit of scientific knowledge. A true pioneer, Mattingly’s legacy will forever be etched in the annals of space exploration.
