Colonel. William Pogue

Former astronaut and author Col. (USAF RET) William Pogue's 25-year military career included a combat tour in Korea, two years as aerobatic pilot with the Thunderbirds, a tour as an assistant professor of mathematics at the Air Force Academy, and an exchange assignment as test pilot with the Royal Air Force. During his career he flew over fifty types and models of American and British aircraft. He was selected in the 5th group of astronauts in 1966 and was on the support crews for Apollo missions 7, 11 and 14. Col. Pogue’s 84-day space flight aboard the Skylab space station ('73-'74), with astronauts Jerry Carr and Ed Gibson set eight endurance and distance records. He made two space walks (one for a new record of over seven hours) and conducted numerous experiments involving studies of the Earth, the sun and the long-term effects of zero gravity on crewmembers. Col. Pogue left NASA in 1977 and, since, has worked as an independent technical contractor for several aerospace companies. From 1984 to 1998 he provided contract technical support to the Boeing Company for the Space Station Freedom program that, in 1992, evolved into the International Space Station (ISS), also called Space Station Alpha, which is currently being assembled in Earth orbit. In October 1997, Col. Pogue was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame at Titusville, FL. He has also authored superb books, “Space Trivia” which is published by Apogee Books, and How Do You Go To The Bathroom In Space?" His latest book is his autobiography, "But for the Grace of God: An Autobiography of an Aviator and Astronaut."