Thomas Patten Stafford was an American Air Force officer, test pilot, and NASA astronaut, and one of 24 astronauts who flew to the Moon. He also served as Chief of the Astronaut Office from 1969 to 1971.
Stafford in 1972
Stafford (left) with his Gemini 6A crewmate Wally Schirra (1965)
Stafford (right) and Eugene Cernan arrive aboard USS Wasp (1966)
Stafford as Apollo 10 Commander (1969)
Chief of the Astronaut Office
The Chief of the Astronaut Office is the most senior leadership position for active astronauts at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The Chief Astronaut serves as head of the NASA Astronaut Corps and is the principal advisor to the NASA Administrator on astronaut training and operations. The Chief's responsibilities include managing Astronaut Office resources and operations and helping to develop operating concepts and assignments for astronaut flight crew.
Chief of the Astronaut Office
Image: Deke Slayton 1962 portrait
Image: Alan shepard
Image: Thomas Stafford