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Charles "Pete" Conrad Jr. (June 2, 1930 – July 8, 1999) was an American NASA astronaut, 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. Conrad was selected for NASA's second astronaut class in 1962.

Key Information

Conrad was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Despite having dyslexia, he 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, Conrad 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 spaceflight, Gemini 5. Later, Conrad commanded Gemini 11 in 1966, and Apollo 12 in 1969. After Apollo, he commanded Skylab 2, the first crewed Skylab mission, in 1973. On the mission, he and his crewmates repaired significant launch damage to the Skylab space station. For this, President Jimmy Carter awarded him the Congressional Space Medal of Honor in 1978.

After Conrad retired from NASA and the Navy in 1973, he became a vice president of American Television and Communications Company. He went on to work for McDonnell Douglas, as a vice president. During his tenure, he served as vice president of marketing, senior vice president of marketing, staff vice president of international business development, and vice president of project development. Conrad died in 1999, from internal injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident, aged 69.

Early life and education

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Charles Conrad Jr. was born on June 2, 1930, in Philadelphia,[1] the third child and the first son of Charles Conrad Sr. (1892–1969) and Frances De Rappelage Conrad (née Vinson; 1899–1981), into a well-to-do real estate and banking family.[2]: 17, 74 

The Great Depression wiped out the Conrad family's fortune, just as it had those of so many others. In 1942, the family lost their manor home in Philadelphia, and then moved into a small carriage house, paid for by Frances's brother, Egerton Vinson. Eventually, Charles Sr., broken down by financial failures, left his family.[2]: 43 

Conrad was considered a bright, intelligent boy, but he continually struggled with his schoolwork. He had dyslexia, a condition little understood at the time. Conrad attended the Haverford School, a private academy in Haverford, Pennsylvania, that previous generations of Conrads had attended. Even after his family's financial downturn, his uncle Egerton supported his continued schooling at Haverford. However, Pete's dyslexia continued to frustrate his academic efforts. After he failed most of his 11th grade exams, Haverford expelled him from school.[2]: 35, 43 

Conrad's mother refused to believe that her son was unintelligent, and she set about finding him a suitable school. She found Darrow School in New Lebanon, New York. There, Conrad learned how to apply a systems approach to learning, and thus found a way to work around his dyslexia. Despite having to repeat the 11th grade, Conrad so excelled at Darrow that after his graduation in 1949, he not only was admitted to Princeton University, but he was also awarded a full Navy ROTC scholarship.[2]: 64–67  While at Darrow, although he was only 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m) and weighed 135 pounds (61 kg), Conrad started as the center on his football team and became the team captain. "He was a very tough boy, and we won our share of games," said the school's assistant headmaster.[3]

Starting when he was 15 years old, Conrad worked during the summertime at the Paoli Airfield near Paoli, Pennsylvania, bartering lawn mowing, sweeping, and other odd jobs for airplane flights and occasional instructional time. He learned more about the mechanics and workings of aircraft and aircraft engines, and then he graduated to minor maintenance work. When he was 16, he drove almost 100 miles (160 km) to help a flight instructor whose airplane had been forced to make an emergency landing. Conrad repaired the plane single-handedly. Thereafter, the instructor gave Conrad the flight lessons that he needed to earn his pilot's certificate even before he graduated from high school.[2]: 54–59 

Conrad continued flying while he was in college, not only keeping his pilot's certificate, but also earning an instrument flight rating. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from Princeton in 1953, after completing a 200-page-long senior thesis titled "The Design of a Turbo-Jet Military Advanced Trainer" with Richard V. Warden, Richard W. Vannata, and Calvin H. Perrine.[4] He was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy as a Naval ROTC graduate.[5]

Aviation career in the U.S. Navy

[edit]
Conrad preparing for water egress training in the Gemini Static Article 5 spacecraft

Following his commission in 1953, Conrad was sent to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, for flight training. He was also trained at the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas. He was designated a Naval Aviator in September 1954[5] and became a fighter pilot. He excelled in Navy flight school, and he served for several years as an aircraft carrier-based fighter pilot in the Navy. Conrad also served as a flight instructor in Navy flight schools along the Gulf of Mexico.[6]

Next, Conrad applied for and was accepted by the United States Naval Test Pilot School at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Patuxent, Maryland. His classmates were future fellow astronauts Wally Schirra and Jim Lovell. He graduated in 1958, as part of Class 20, and was assigned as a Project Test Pilot.[2]: 83, 146  Conrad became a captain in the U.S. Navy on December 11, 1969.[5]

During this period, Conrad was invited to take part in the selection process for the first group of astronauts for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) (the "Mercury Seven"). Conrad, like his fellow candidates, underwent several days of what they considered to be invasive, demeaning, and unnecessary medical and psychological testing at the Lovelace Clinic in New Mexico. Unlike his fellow candidates, Conrad rebelled against the regimen. During a Rorschach inkblot test, he told the psychiatrist that one blot card revealed a sexual encounter complete with lurid detail. When shown a blank card, he turned it around, pushed it back and replied, "It's upside down".[7]

Then when he was asked to deliver a stool sample to the onsite lab, he placed it in a gift box and tied a red ribbon around it. Eventually, he decided that he had had enough. After dropping his full enema bag on the desk of the clinic's commanding officer, he walked out.[2]: 113–119  His initial application to NASA was denied with the notation not suitable for long-duration flight.[8]

After his NASA episode, Conrad returned to the Navy as a fighter pilot, serving in the Pacific Fleet's second operational F-4 Phantom II squadron, VF-96, on board USS Ranger.[9] Thereafter, when NASA announced its search for a second group of astronauts, Mercury veteran Alan Shepard, who knew Conrad from their time as naval aviators and test pilots, approached Conrad and persuaded him to reapply.[10] This time, Conrad found the medical tests less invasive, and in June 1962 he was selected to join NASA.[3]

He logged more than 6,500 hours of flying time, with more than 5,000 hours in jet aircraft.[11]

NASA career

[edit]

Project Gemini

[edit]
Main articles: Gemini 5 and Gemini 11
Conrad following his Gemini 5 flight
Conrad (right) with his Gemini 11 crewmate Dick Gordon, following their flight

Conrad joined NASA as part of the second group of astronauts, known as the New Nine, on September 17, 1962.[12] Regarded as one of the best pilots in the group, he was among the first of his group to be assigned a Gemini mission. As pilot of Gemini 5 he, along with his commander Gordon Cooper, set a new space endurance record of eight days. The duration of the Gemini 5 flight was actually 7 days 22 hours and 55 minutes, surpassing the then-current Russian record of five days. Eight days was the time required for the first crewed lunar landing missions. Conrad facetiously referred to the Gemini 5 capsule as a flying garbage can.[13]

Conrad tested many spacecraft systems essential to the Apollo program. He was also one of the smallest of the astronauts, 5 feet 6+1⁄2 inches (1.689 meters) tall,[14] so he found the confinement of the Gemini capsule less onerous than his Commander Gordon Cooper did. He was then named commander of the Gemini 8 backup crew, and later commander of Gemini 11 with pilot Richard Gordon. Gemini 11 docked with an Agena target vehicle immediately after achieving orbit. Such a maneuver was an engineering and flight test similar to what the Apollo Command Module (CM) and Lunar Module (LM) would later be required to do. Also, the Gemini 11 flight holds the distinction of being the highest-apogee crewed Earth orbit ever, reaching an apogee of 1,369 kilometers (851 miles).[15]

Apollo program

[edit]
Main article: Apollo 12
Conrad during his Apollo 12 EVA training
Conrad descends the Lunar Module ladder, moments before becoming the third human to walk on the Moon
Pete Conrad's quote while descending the LEM ladder

Conrad was assigned in December 1966 to command the backup crew for the first Earth orbital test flight of the complete Apollo spacecraft, including the Lunar Module (LM) into low Earth orbit. Delays in the LM's development pushed this mission to December 1968 as Apollo 8. But when one more delay occurred in readying the first LM for crewed flight, NASA approved and scheduled a lunar orbit mission without the LM as Apollo 8, pushing Conrad's backup mission to Apollo 9 in March 1969. Director of Flight Crew Operations Deke Slayton's practice was to assign a backup crew as the prime crew on the third following mission. If the swap of 8 and 9 had not occurred, Conrad might have commanded Apollo 11, the first mission to land on the Moon.[16]

On November 14, 1969, Apollo 12 was launched with Conrad as commander, Dick Gordon as Command Module Pilot, and Alan Bean as Lunar Module Pilot. The launch was the most harrowing of the Apollo program, as a series of lightning strikes just after liftoff temporarily knocked out power and guidance in the Command Module. Five days later, after stepping down from the ladder of the Lunar Module onto a landing pad, Conrad joked about his own small stature by remarking:

Whoopee! Man, that may have been a small one for Neil, but that's a long one for me.

— Pete Conrad[17]

He later revealed that he said this in order to win a bet he had made with the Italian journalist Oriana Fallaci for $500 to prove that NASA did not script astronaut comments. Fallaci was convinced that Armstrong's "One small step for man" statement had been written for him and was not his own words.[18]

Conrad's "long one" referred to the jump from the Lunar Module's ladder to a landing pad, whereas Armstrong's "small step" referred to the small step from the landing pad onto the Moon's surface. Conrad's first words on the lunar surface were:

Oooh, is that soft and queasy.

— Pete Conrad[17]

One of the photos that Conrad took during the mission with his own image visible on the helmet visor of Alan Bean was later listed on Popular Science's photo gallery of the best astronaut selfies.[19]

Skylab

[edit]
Main article: Skylab 2
Paul J. Weitz, (left) Charles Conrad Jr. (middle); and Joseph P. Kerwin (right); America's first space station crew would spend 28 days in space

Conrad's final mission was as commander of Skylab 2, the first crew to board the Skylab space station. The station had been damaged on its uncrewed launch, when its micrometeoroid shield tore away, taking one of two main solar panels with it and jamming the other one so that it could not deploy. Conrad and his crew repaired the damage on two spacewalks. Conrad managed to pull free the stuck solar panel by sheer brute force, an action of which he was particularly proud. The astronauts also erected a "parasol" solar shield to protect the station from intense solar heating, a function which the lost micrometeoroid shield was supposed to perform. Without the shield, Skylab and its contents would have become unusable.[20] President Jimmy Carter honored Conrad for this in 1978 by awarding him the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.[21]

During his training for Skylab 2, Conrad had to bail out from NASA T-38 N957NA on May 10, 1972. He was returning to Houston from a visit to ILC Industries in Delaware. On approach to Ellington AFB, he was advised that the weather had deteriorated below minimums so he diverted to Hobby. During the night, instrument flight rules (IFR) descent, he suffered a generator failure at 800 feet and broke off the approach. He elected to divert to an airfield with better weather. He ran out of fuel as he reached Bergstrom AFB and was forced to eject at 3,700 feet. He landed about 100 yards from the base operations building and his airplane crashed in an open field about two miles away.

Post-NASA career

[edit]
Conrad undergoes a dental exam by Skylab 2 Science Pilot, Joseph P. Kerwin, M.D.

Conrad retired from NASA and the Navy in 1973, and went to work for American Television and Communications Company. He started as the vice president of operations and chief operating officer. Conrad was in charge of the operation of existing systems and the national development of new cable television systems.[9]

In 1976, Conrad accepted a position with McDonnell Douglas as a vice president and consultant. In 1978, he became vice president of marketing and was responsible for the commercial and military sales of Douglas Aircraft Company. After an engine fell off a McDonnell Douglas DC-10, causing it to crash with the loss of all passengers and crew in 1979, Conrad spearheaded McDonnell Douglas's ultimately unsuccessful efforts to allay the fears of the public and policymakers, and save the plane's reputation. In 1980, he was promoted to senior vice president of marketing. From 1982 to 1984, Conrad served as the senior vice president of marketing and product support. He was appointed staff vice president of international business development in 1984. During the 1990s he consulted for the Delta Clipper experimental single-stage-to-orbit launch vehicle. He became vice president of project development in 1993.[9]

On February 14, 1996, Conrad was part of the crew on a record-breaking around-the-world flight in a Learjet owned by cable TV pioneer Bill Daniels. The flight lasted 49 hours, 26 minutes and 8 seconds.[22] Today the jet is on permanent static display at Denver International Airport's Terminal C.[2]

A month before he died, Conrad appeared on ABC News Nightline and said, "I think the Space Shuttle is worth one billion dollars a launch. I think that it is worth two billion dollars for what it does. I think the Shuttle is worth it for the work it does." In the last interview he gave before his death, Conrad sat down for PBS's Nova series and discussed where he felt the future direction of space travel should go. He considered returning to the Moon "a waste of taxpayer money", but recommended missions to Mars and asteroids.[23]

In 2006, NASA posthumously awarded him the Ambassador of Exploration Award for his work for the agency and science.[24]

Personal life

[edit]

When you can't be good, be colorful.

–Conrad's personal motto.[3]

While at Princeton, Conrad met Jane DuBose, a student at Bryn Mawr, whose family owned a 1,600-acre (650 ha) ranch near Uvalde, Texas. Her father, Winn DuBose, was the first person to call Conrad "Pete" rather than "Peter", the name he had used since birth. Upon his graduation from Princeton and acceptance of his navy commission, Conrad and Jane were married on June 16, 1953. They had four sons.[2]

Given the demands of his career in the Navy and NASA, Conrad and Jane spent considerable time apart, and Conrad saw less of his sons than he would have liked. In 1988, Conrad and Jane divorced, both later remarrying.[9][25][26]

In 1989, Conrad's youngest son, Christopher, was diagnosed with a malignant lymphoma. He died in April 1990, at the age of 29.[2]: 230–1 

Conrad met Nancy Crane, a Denver divorcee, through mutual friends. Conrad and Crane married in 1990.[27]

Conrad was a Cub Scout.[28] His recreational interests included golf, water skiing and auto racing, such as Formula Vee.[29]

Death

[edit]

Conrad died on July 8, 1999, from internal injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. While traveling with his wife and friends from his Huntington Beach home to Monterey, California, his motorcycle crashed on a turn. Conrad later died in a hospital in Ojai.[30] He was wearing a helmet at the time and was operating within the speed limit.[3] He was buried with full honours at Arlington National Cemetery,[31] with many Apollo-era astronauts in attendance and a performance of "Amazing Grace" by music legend Willie Nelson.[32]

The Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas has a grove of trees that have been planted to honor the memory of the astronauts who have died. After Conrad's death, NASA planted a tree in his honor. During the dedication ceremony, his Apollo 12 crewmate Alan Bean used his speech to lighten the sombre occasion by injecting a little levity, pretending to "channel" Conrad's instructions from the hereafter. Bean said Conrad wanted NASA to light his tree every Christmas season with coloured lights instead of the white used for everyone else, in keeping with his motto "when you can't be good, be colourful". NASA has honoured this request, and every Christmas since then, all of the trees in the grove have been lit with white lights—except Conrad's tree, which has been lit with red lights.[2]: xiii [33]

Awards and honors

[edit]
Conrad, Dick Gordon, and Alan Bean pose with their Apollo 12 Saturn V Moon rocket in the background.

He is inducted into several Aviation and Astronaut Halls of Fame. In 1980 he was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.[36] He was one of ten Gemini astronauts inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame in 1982.[37] Conrad and his fellow Gemini astronauts were inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in 1993.[38] Conrad was presented an Honorary Master of Arts degree from Princeton in 1966; an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Lincoln-Wesleyan University in 1970, and an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from Kings College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania in 1971.[9]

The three Skylab astronaut crews were awarded the 1973 Robert J. Collier Trophy "For proving beyond question the value of man in future explorations of space and the production of data of benefit to all the people on Earth."[39][40] Gerald Carr accepted the 1975 Dr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial Trophy from President Ford, awarded to the Skylab astronauts.[41] They were awarded AIAA's 1974 Haley Astronautics Award.[42]

Conrad was a fellow of the American Astronautical Society; New York Academy of Sciences; American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and the Society of Experimental Test Pilots.[11]

[edit]
Conrad appeared as a spokesman for American Express

Conrad was discussed at length in Tom Wolfe's 1979 book, The Right Stuff, about the pilots engaged in U.S. postwar research about rockets, although he was never mentioned in the 1983 film version. He played a news commentator in the 1975 made-for-TV movie Stowaway to the Moon, and himself in the 1991 television movie Plymouth, about a fictional lunar base,[43] and in an American Express television commercial.[3]

In the 1995 film Apollo 13, Conrad was played by David Andrews; in the 1998 HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon, by Peter Scolari and Paul McCrane;[43] in the 2018 film First Man, by Ethan Embry,[44] and in the 2019 alternate history web television series For All Mankind by Steven Pritchard.

References

[edit]

Bibliography

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Pete Conrad

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Charles "Pete" Conrad Jr. (June 2, 1930 – July 8, 1999) was an American , aeronautical engineer, naval officer, aviator, and renowned for commanding the lunar mission, during which he became the third person to walk on the . Over his career, Conrad flew four space missions spanning the Gemini, , and programs, logging more than 49 days in space and contributing to key advancements in human spaceflight endurance, altitude records, and early operations. Selected as part of 's second astronaut group in 1962, he overcame significant personal challenges, including , to achieve these milestones through determination and innovative problem-solving. Born in , , Conrad faced early academic difficulties due to undiagnosed , which led to him being labeled as lazy by teachers and repeating grades. He attended the Haverford School and Darrow School before earning a in Aeronautical from in 1953, where he developed coping strategies that fueled his passion for . Commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy that year, Conrad became a naval aviator in 1954 and amassed over 3,500 flight hours, primarily in jet aircraft, while serving in fighter squadrons and graduating from the Navy Test Pilot School in 1958. Conrad's NASA career began with Gemini 5 in 1965 as pilot alongside , setting a then-record eight-day endurance flight of 120 orbits and 3.3 million miles to demonstrate reliability for longer missions. He commanded in 1966, achieving a record altitude of 850 miles and completing rendezvous maneuvers that advanced orbital docking techniques. As commander of in November 1969, Conrad and executed a precise landing near the probe in the Ocean of Storms, conducting two moonwalks totaling nearly eight hours on the lunar surface to deploy scientific experiments and retrieve parts from the unmanned craft. His final flight, in 1973, repaired the damaged U.S. and established a 28-day residency record, showcasing his leadership in early orbital habitation. After retiring from and the in 1973, Conrad served as vice president of marketing and later staff vice president of operations at McDonnell Douglas Corporation, where he advocated for commercial space initiatives like the Delta Clipper program until his death. He received numerous honors, including the in 1978, two NASA Distinguished Service Medals, and induction into the in 1980. Conrad died on July 8, 1999, in , from injuries sustained in a accident at age 69.

Early years

Childhood and family background

Charles Peter Conrad Jr. was born on June 2, 1930, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, into an affluent family involved in business and real estate. He was the third child and first son, with two older sisters, Barbara Ann and Patricia. His father, Charles Conrad Sr., served as a balloonist during World War I and later became a successful businessman in real estate, banking, and investments whose enterprises provided the family with a comfortable lifestyle in the Philadelphia suburbs, including a home in Devon known as Roadside Cottage. His mother, Frances Vinson Conrad, came from a well-established family, contributing to the household's emphasis on adventure and perseverance amid changing circumstances. The onset of the Great Depression devastated the family's finances, as Charles Sr.'s business ventures collapsed, forcing multiple relocations along the U.S. East Coast to more modest accommodations. In 1942, they moved from their spacious residence to a smaller three-bedroom in nearby , , supported by aid from Frances's brother. These upheavals instilled in young Pete a sense of resilience, shaped by his parents' determination to maintain family unity and an exploratory spirit despite economic hardship. Conrad's passion for aviation sparked early in childhood during his first airplane ride at age five, an experience that captivated him and foreshadowed his future career. Growing up in this environment of frequent moves and familial adaptability, he was exposed to the thrill of flight through local opportunities, further fueling his enduring interest in the skies.

Education and personal challenges

Conrad attended the Haverford School in , where his undiagnosed severely hindered his ability to read and write, causing words to blur together and triggering headaches during study sessions. This led to poor academic performance, including failing most subjects despite intensive tutoring, and ultimately his expulsion after 11th grade. His struggles were compounded by from classmates, who mocked his difficulties, while teachers labeled him lazy, unaware of the underlying . Family relocations added instability, but his mother's dedicated support, including home tutoring with flash cards and reading aloud, helped him persist. Determined to overcome these challenges, Conrad transferred to the Darrow School in New Lebanon, New York, in 1947, repeating 11th grade in an environment emphasizing hands-on learning that suited his strengths in mechanical tasks. There, he thrived, achieving honor roll status by spring 1948 and excelling in extracurricular activities as captain and quarterback of the football team, as well as participating in baseball, hockey, and theater. This success built his confidence and prepared him for higher education, demonstrating how adaptive teaching methods could mitigate his dyslexia-related barriers. Unable to secure admission to the U.S. Naval Academy due to dyslexia impacting his entrance exams, Conrad enrolled at in 1949 under a ROTC via the Holloway Plan. He pursued a in aeronautical engineering, graduating in 1953 through a combination of self-directed study, peer tutoring, and relentless determination to master complex technical concepts. Despite ongoing reading challenges, his focus on practical applications allowed him to excel in the rigorous program. At Princeton, Conrad immersed himself in aviation-related extracurriculars to further circumvent his learning difficulties, serving as of the Flying Club and dedicating time to building and testing model airplanes in designs. These activities not only honed his skills but also provided a tactile outlet for understanding , reinforcing his passion for flight amid academic hurdles.

Officer training and commissioning

Upon graduating from Princeton University with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering in 1953, Charles "Pete" Conrad Jr. was commissioned as an ensign in the United States Navy through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) program. He immediately began naval aviation officer training, starting at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, in late 1953, where he focused on primary flight instruction and basic aircraft handling. His training progressed to advanced phases at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas, emphasizing carrier-based operations and instrument flying during the intensifying Cold War tensions. Conrad excelled in the rigorous program, earning his naval aviator wings on , 1954, after logging extensive flight hours in propeller and . In October 1954, he received his first operational assignment to Fighter Squadron 43 (VF-43) at Naval Air Station Miramar, , transitioning to the swept-wing F9F-8 jet fighter, a versatile aircraft suited for both air-to-air combat and ground attack roles in the nuclear-age . As a in VF-43, Conrad participated in early carrier qualifications off the U.S. West Coast, mastering arrested landings and launches essential for fleet service, which solidified his skills in high-stakes environments. His initial deployments included routine patrols and exercises in the Pacific, contributing to the Navy's forward presence amid global superpower rivalries and honing his proficiency in and weapons delivery. These experiences bridged his academic foundation to active-duty operations, preparing him for more advanced roles in .

Flight operations and test piloting

In early 1958, Conrad was detached from his squadron to attend the Naval Test Pilot School at the Naval Air Test Center, , , where he underwent intensive training in advanced flight testing techniques and graduated later that year following the six-month course. As a project test pilot at Patuxent River from 1958 to 1961, Conrad evaluated high-performance aircraft, including the F-4 Phantom II, conducting high-altitude flights and systems assessments on a variety of fixed-wing planes to ensure operational safety and performance under extreme conditions. In March 1961, he transitioned to Fighter Squadron 121 () as an instructor pilot for the F-4 Phantom II, focusing on carrier-based evaluations and training aircrews in its capabilities. Conrad also served as a flight instructor and performance engineer at the Test Pilot School, where he mentored aspiring test pilots on experimental flight methods and . By September 1962, he had logged more than 3,500 total flight hours, with over 2,600 in , encompassing hundreds of carrier landings—building on his initial qualifications—and advanced instrument ratings that honed his expertise for complex aerial operations.

NASA astronaut career

Selection and initial training

Charles "Pete" Conrad Jr., a U.S. and , applied to 's second astronaut selection process in 1962, driven by his ambition to extend the frontiers of into . His prior experience as a naval , including graduation from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, positioned him as a strong candidate for the role. NASA announced the selection of its second astronaut group, known as the "New Nine," on September 17, 1962, choosing Conrad among nine finalists from 253 applicants. The rigorous process involved an initial application deadline of June 1, 1962, followed by medical examinations for 32 candidates at in Texas, interviews with selection board chief , and final approval by Administrator James Webb. This group, including , , and , was tasked with supporting the Gemini program to develop techniques for the Apollo lunar missions. Upon selection, Conrad relocated to NASA's Manned Spacecraft Center (now Johnson Space Center) in Houston, Texas, for intensive initial training beginning in late 1962. The program emphasized physical and technical preparation, including high-G centrifuge simulations at the Naval Air Development Center in Pennsylvania to simulate launch and reentry forces, parabolic zero-gravity flights in modified aircraft for weightlessness practice, and survival training such as jungle exercises in Panama in June 1963, desert maneuvers in Nevada in August 1963, and water survival drills in Pensacola, Florida, in September 1963. Conrad was soon assigned to Gemini program support roles, focusing on capsule systems testing and operations with spacecraft mockups to refine rendezvous and docking procedures essential for future missions. These ground-based activities, conducted at contractor facilities like McDonnell Aircraft in , allowed him to contribute to vehicle design and simulator development while building expertise in handling.

Gemini missions

Conrad's first spaceflight was as pilot of , launched on August 21, 1965, from Cape Kennedy, Florida, alongside commander . The mission's primary objectives were to demonstrate the spacecraft's endurance for up to eight days—nearly double the previous U.S. record—and to test fuel cells as a reliable power source for future Apollo missions, replacing heavier batteries. The flight lasted 7 days, 22 hours, 55 minutes, and 14 seconds, completing 120 Earth orbits at an inclination of 32.6 degrees. Early in the mission, approximately four hours after launch, the fuel cells malfunctioned, causing a sharp drop in electrical voltage and power output, which threatened the spacecraft's systems and led ground controllers to consider an immediate abort to prevent total power failure. Through rapid troubleshooting by the crew and mission control, including purging the fuel cell lines and adjusting operations, the issue stabilized without aborting, allowing the mission to continue in a power-conserving "darken ship" mode where non-essential systems were shut down for much of the flight. This endurance test proved critical for validating human and hardware performance in prolonged microgravity, directly informing Apollo's design for extended lunar trips. During reentry, Conrad assisted in piloting the spacecraft manually to compensate for a computer programming error in the guidance system, resulting in a splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean about 80 miles short of the planned recovery point on August 29, 1965, after which the crew was safely retrieved by the USS Lake Champlain. Conrad commanded his second Gemini mission, Gemini 11, launched on September 12, 1966, with pilot Richard F. Gordon Jr., focusing on advanced rendezvous, docking, and extravehicular activity (EVA) techniques essential for Apollo's lunar operations. The crew achieved the program's first direct-ascent rendezvous and docking with an uncrewed Agena target vehicle just 1 hour and 34 minutes after liftoff, on the mission's first orbit, demonstrating precise orbital mechanics without prior station-keeping maneuvers. Using the Agena's engine, they then boosted the docked pair to a record apogee of 850 miles (1,369 kilometers) above Earth—the highest altitude reached by a crewed U.S. spacecraft at that time—before undocking and conducting further experiments. Gordon performed a 2-hour, 41-minute EVA on the second day, during which he attached a 100-foot tether between the Gemini and Agena to test passive stabilization and simulate artificial gravity through induced rotation, though visibility issues and fatigue limited the full deployment. The Gemini 11 mission concluded after 2 days, 23 hours, 17 minutes, and 8 seconds, with 44 orbits completed, marking innovations in automated rendezvous protocols and EVA tether dynamics that advanced understanding of spacecraft control in space. For reentry, Conrad oversaw the first fully computer-controlled atmospheric descent using the onboard guidance system, achieving a precise splashdown within 2.1 miles of the recovery ship USS Guam in the Atlantic on September 15, 1966, highlighting reliable piloting integration with automation. Across his two Gemini flights, Conrad accumulated approximately 11 days in orbit, contributing key data on fuel-efficient power systems, high-altitude operations, and EVA procedures that refined NASA's approaches to orbital rendezvous and human spaceflight duration.

Apollo 12 mission

Apollo 12, the third crewed lunar landing mission in NASA's , launched on November 14, 1969, at 11:22 a.m. EST from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A aboard a rocket. The crew consisted of Commander Charles "Pete" Conrad Jr., Lunar Module Pilot Alan L. , and Command Module Pilot , with Conrad at the helm drawing on his prior Gemini rendezvous experience to navigate the mission's challenges. Just 36.5 seconds after liftoff, the vehicle was struck by , followed by a second strike at 52 seconds, triggered by the rocket's exhaust plume in stormy weather; this caused the loss of platform reference, shutdowns, and multiple instrument failures, including the main electrical buses. Conrad and quickly restored power by resetting the fuel cells and using a to reactivate the electrical system, while ground control assisted in realigning the inertial platform, averting potential mission abort. After a successful and rendezvous maneuvers, the Intrepid, piloted by Conrad and , separated from the Command Module Yankee Clipper and descended to a precise landing in the Ocean of Storms on November 19, 1969, at 6:54 a.m. EST, just 535 feet from the unmanned probe that had touched down there in April 1967. This pinpoint accuracy demonstrated advanced navigation capabilities, placing the site at 3°11'15"S and 23°23'05"W near . Conrad became the third person to walk on the when he stepped onto the surface at 10:56 a.m. EST, famously declaring, "Whoopee! Man, that may have been a small one for , but that's a long one for me," alluding to his 5-foot-6-inch stature and Armstrong's "one small step" from Apollo 11. The crew conducted two extravehicular activities (EVAs) totaling 7 hours 45 minutes on the lunar surface over 31.5 hours. During the first EVA, lasting 3 hours 56 minutes and beginning at 10:58 a.m. EST, Conrad and traversed to , retrieving components including the television camera, remote-sensing mirror, and scoop for Earth-based analysis to study microbial contamination and materials degradation; they also deployed the Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package (ALSEP), installing instruments such as a passive , lunar surface , spectrometer, and detector to gather long-term geophysical data. In the second EVA, 3 hours 49 minutes long and starting at 3:24 a.m. EST on November 20, the astronauts conducted geological traverses to nearby craters like Bench and Halo, collected 34 kilograms (75 pounds) of lunar samples including core tubes and breccias, and tested the Modular Equipment Transporter (MET)—a hand-pulled cart for carrying tools and samples—as a precursor to later lunar rovers, enhancing mobility across the uneven terrain. Intrepid lifted off from the Moon on November 20 at 9:25 a.m. EST, rendezvousing with Gordon in Yankee Clipper after four orbits; the crew jettisoned the ascent stage and began the return journey, performing a midcourse correction and experiment activations en route. Apollo 12 splashed down on November 24, 1969, at 3:58 a.m. EST in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 400 miles southeast of American Samoa, after a total mission duration of 244 hours 36 minutes 25 seconds, recovered by the USS Hornet.

Skylab 2 mission

, the first crewed mission to the ' inaugural , launched on May 25, 1973, aboard a rocket from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39B, carrying Commander Charles "Pete" Conrad Jr., Science Pilot , and Pilot Paul J. Weitz. The crew docked with the orbiting station after eight attempts, discovering it severely compromised from its uncrewed launch on May 14: the micrometeoroid shield had been torn away by launch vibrations, one solar array wing was completely ripped off, and the other was jammed by debris, resulting in critically low power and temperatures exceeding 130°F (54°C) inside. Drawing briefly on his Apollo command experience, Conrad led the team in immediate improvised repairs, including the deployment of a sail-like parasol sunshade through the scientific airlock on June 5 to restore thermal control, which successfully lowered internal temperatures to habitable levels within hours. The mission's repair efforts culminated in two extravehicular activities (EVAs). On June 7, Conrad and Kerwin conducted a 3-hour, 32-minute spacewalk using a pole, cable cutters, and a jet thruster gun to sever the restraining strap on the jammed solar array, partially deploying it and boosting power output from 25% to 65% of capacity; a second EVA by Weitz and Kerwin on June 19 attempted further array adjustments but yielded limited gains. These innovative fixes, including the umbrella-like parasol designed by engineer Jack Kinzler, salvaged the station and enabled full operations, demonstrating the crew's resourcefulness in what became known as the "We Fix Anything" mission. Over the 28-day, 49-minute flight—establishing a U.S. record for longest at the time—the conducted 55 experiments spanning resources observation, via the , biomedical research on physiological effects like cardiovascular and vestibular responses, materials processing, and projects, accumulating 392 hours of scientific work and orbiting 404 times. Conrad's emphasized through humor and structured routines, overseeing checks by Kerwin, daily exercise protocols, and extensive film documentation of operations and repairs to support post-mission analysis. The mission splashed down in the on June 22, 1973, aboard the USS Ticonderoga, paving the way for subsequent crews.

Later professional life

Post-NASA industry positions

Following his command of the mission in 1973, which served as the capstone of his career, Conrad retired from both the U.S. and in December of that year after 20 years of naval service, including 11 as an . He immediately joined American Television and Communications Corporation (ATC) as Vice President of Operations and Chief Operating Officer, where he oversaw the operation of existing systems and the development of new ones across the until resigning in 1976. In 1976, Conrad transitioned to McDonnell Douglas Corporation as a and , later advancing to of in 1978, where he managed commercial and military sales for the Douglas division. By 1980, he had been promoted to Senior of , and in 1982 he took on the role of Senior of and Product Support, followed by Staff of International Business Development in 1984. In these capacities, he contributed to initiatives. In 1993, he became -Project Development. In the mid-1980s, Conrad shifted focus to the company's Astronautics unit in , serving as Vice President for Space Program Development, where he oversaw space program development, including the company's efforts. Later, as Staff Vice President for New Business at McDonnell Douglas Space Company starting in , he played a key role in research and development for advanced initiatives, such as the Space Exploration Initiative under President , which envisioned return missions to the Moon, Mars exploration, and permanent presence. His work emphasized technologies, notably through involvement in the Delta Clipper (DC-X) program—a prototype that demonstrated vertical takeoff and landing capabilities in test flights at during the early 1990s. Conrad served as Flight Commander, often operated ground controls for these flights, and advocated for cost-effective, fully reusable launch systems to reduce access barriers. He retired from McDonnell Douglas in 1996.

Entrepreneurial ventures in space

After retiring from , Conrad channeled his extensive spaceflight expertise into pioneering commercial enterprises, founding Universal Space Lines (USL) in April 1996 in , alongside entrepreneur Thomas Ingersoll. The company positioned itself as a space services provider, with ambitions to operate the world's first commercially owned and reusable passenger-carrying for orbital , leveraging technologies like the McDonnell Douglas Delta Clipper-X for vertical capabilities. USL's initiatives emphasized building private-sector infrastructure for space access, including for automated spacecraft launches and control, as well as plans for the first commercial for satellite tracking. With an initial $1.1 million in private funding and projected revenues of $8 million in 1997, the venture secured contracts with centers and firms like Orbital Sciences Corp., aiming to reduce costs and enable routine commercial operations. Conrad envisioned USL ferrying passengers to orbital destinations, including potential space hotels, to democratize space travel beyond government programs. In parallel, Conrad co-founded several sister companies under the USL umbrella to advance broader space commercialization, focusing on affordable launches and management. He also co-founded Astro Sciences Corp. in Chatsworth, , with fellow Richard F. Gordon, to develop computer networking equipment. These efforts built on his prior role at McDonnell Douglas, where he directed aspects of advanced programs, to advocate for public-private partnerships that integrated insights with industry innovation.

Personal life and death

Family and relationships

Charles "Pete" Conrad Jr. married Jane DuBose on June 16, 1953, soon after his graduation from and commissioning in the U.S. Navy. The couple had four sons: Peter, born December 25, 1954; Thomas, born May 3, 1957; Andrew, born April 30, 1959; and , born January 28, 1961. Their marriage lasted until their divorce in 1990. The demands of Conrad's naval aviation and careers often required extended absences, leading to considerable time apart from Jane and limiting his involvement in his sons' daily lives. Despite these challenges, the family emphasized close-knit home traditions, such as holiday gatherings, to maintain bonds during his returns. Tragically, their youngest son, , died in April 1990 from bone cancer at age 29. In 1990, Conrad married Nancy Crane in a second marriage for both, after being introduced by a mutual friend during travels between Colorado and St. Louis. Nancy, a former English teacher and associate publisher of an women's , became a vital partner in Conrad's post-NASA endeavors, collaborating on his ventures and shared passion for and . Their union incorporated Conrad's three surviving sons—Peter, Thomas, and Andrew—into a family dynamic centered on adventure and exploration, echoing Conrad's lifelong pursuits in aviation and spaceflight. The couple resided in . This period marked a renewed focus on personal connections, with Nancy providing steadfast support amid Conrad's continued professional activities until his in 1999.

Hobbies and character traits

Conrad was an avid enthusiast of , frequently riding as a recreational pursuit that reflected his love for speed and adventure, culminating in his ownership of a 1996 on which he was traveling at the time of his death. He also enjoyed and , including participation in events, activities he often shared with family and colleagues during off-duty time. These hobbies underscored his energetic and outgoing nature, frequently involving group outings that fostered camaraderie among fellow pilots and astronauts. Conrad's personality was marked by an irreverent sense of humor that lightened tense situations, exemplified by his wager with a journalist that his first words on the lunar surface would not be scripted by NASA; upon stepping onto the Moon, he quipped, "Whoopee! Man, that may have been a small one for Neil, but that's a long one for me!" to win the $500 bet. He was known among peers for practical jokes and colorful language during missions, earning descriptions as "funny, noisy, [and] colorful" from fellow astronaut Michael Collins. This wit extended to his interactions, where he often used levity to build team spirit. Despite facing , which caused academic struggles including repeating the 11th grade and difficulty with reading and writing throughout much of his , Conrad demonstrated remarkable resilience by persisting through private schooling and later thriving with appropriate accommodations. His turned early challenges into strengths, contributing to a team-oriented leadership style evident in his role as a , where he mentored young pilots off-duty by sharing practical flying tips and encouraging perseverance.

Death and tributes

On July 8, 1999, Pete Conrad, aged 69, suffered a fatal motorcycle accident while riding his 1996 on a winding mountain road near , where he lost control on a curve and collided with the roadside. This incident reflected Conrad's longstanding passion for , a hobby he pursued avidly in his later years. Conrad was rushed to Ojai Valley Community Hospital, where he succumbed to massive internal injuries and bleeding approximately five hours later, despite emergency medical efforts. His service, held on July 19, 1999, drew around 600 mourners, including fellow astronaut , Apollo 7's , Apollo 8 commander James Lovell, and former astronaut and Senator , along with representatives; the ceremony featured a horse-drawn caisson procession, a flyover, and burial with full military honors at . Immediate tributes highlighted Conrad's pioneering contributions to . Administrator stated, "The whole family was extremely sad to learn of Pete Conrad's death. He was known at as a cutting-edge pioneer and a man who was deeply committed to his country."

Legacy and honors

Awards and military decorations

Charles "Pete" Conrad Jr. received numerous military decorations and awards recognizing his service as a naval aviator and his contributions to 's space program. For his heroism and extraordinary achievements during the mission in 1965, Conrad was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, with a second award (denoted by a gold star) for his command of in 1966, where he executed a direct rendezvous and docking with the . Conrad earned two Navy Distinguished Service Medals, the highest naval honor for non-combat service, with the first awarded for his leadership of the lunar landing mission in 1969 and the second for commanding the mission in 1973, which successfully repaired and operated the first U.S. despite initial damage. He also received the Navy Astronaut Wings in recognition of his four spaceflights. Among his NASA honors, Conrad was presented with two NASA Distinguished Service Medals for his overall contributions to , including the Gemini and Apollo programs. In October 1978, President awarded him the , the highest U.S. civilian space award, specifically for his command that salvaged the mission and advanced long-duration spaceflight techniques. Other significant recognitions include the Harmon International Aviation Trophy in 1974 for his achievements, the 1973 shared with the Skylab crews for demonstrating human ingenuity in space operations, and enshrinement in the in 1980 for his pioneering role in manned spaceflight. Posthumously, in 2006, honored Conrad with the Ambassador of Exploration Award for his enduring impact on space science and exploration, presenting a moon rock fragment from to the in .

Depictions in media and culture

Pete Conrad's portrayal in media often highlights his charismatic personality and humorous demeanor, particularly during the mission. In the 1998 miniseries From the Earth to the Moon, Conrad is depicted in multiple episodes, with playing him in the premiere episode focusing on his selection as part of NASA's second group, and portraying him in the Apollo 12-specific installment, "That's All There Is," where his wit shines through in scenes of mission preparation and lunar antics, such as joking about the during launch. The series emphasizes Conrad's role as a lighthearted counterpoint to the program's intensity, capturing his famous quip upon stepping onto the . Conrad appears in several documentaries that explore the Apollo era, using archival footage to illustrate his contributions. The 2007 film In the Shadow of the Moon, directed by David Sington, features discussions of Apollo 12's precision landing and Conrad's involvement, drawing on interviews with surviving moonwalkers to contextualize his achievement as the third person on the lunar surface. Additionally, the 1999 Nova documentary To the Moon includes a direct with Conrad, where he recounts his career highlights, including overcoming to become an . Biographical works have further immortalized Conrad's life. In the 2005 book Rocketman: Astronaut Pete Conrad's Incredible Ride to the Moon and Beyond, written by his widow Nancy Conrad with Howard A. Klausner, the narrative draws from personal interviews to depict his adventurous spirit, from test piloting to commanding , portraying him as a "space cowboy" who thrived on risk and camaraderie. Conrad makes brief appearances in feature films, underscoring his place among NASA's elite. In the 1995 movie , directed by , David Andrews plays Conrad in a cameo as the commander, appearing in a scene with fellow to convey the tight-knit astronaut community during the crisis. He is also referenced in on , such as Alan Bean's Moon Shot: The Inside Story of America's Race to the Moon (1998), a that includes Conrad's lunar exploits to inspire young readers about teamwork and perseverance in the . Conrad's cultural footprint extends to public commemorations and enduring lore. The U.S. Postal Service issued a 10-cent stamp in 1974 commemorating the and its achievements, symbolizing America's post-Apollo space endeavors. Public art, including paintings by his Apollo 12 crewmate —such as lunar scenes featuring Conrad—has been exhibited in museums, evoking the mission's exploratory zeal. His iconic first words on the , "Whoopee! Man, that may have been a small one for , but that's a long one for me," have permeated popular space narratives, often cited in media to highlight his irreverent humor and 5-foot-6 stature compared to .

The Conrad Foundation and enduring impact

The Conrad Foundation was established in 2007 by Nancy Conrad, the widow of astronaut , to honor his legacy by fostering and STEM among high school students worldwide through hands-on challenges. The organization emphasizes real-world problem-solving in fields like , , , and cyber-technology, encouraging students to develop entrepreneurial solutions that address global issues. By providing from industry experts and opportunities for prototyping, the foundation aims to cultivate the next generation of innovators, drawing directly from Pete Conrad's own in space exploration. A of the foundation's work is the annual Conrad Challenge, an international competition for students aged 13 to 18 that inspires multidisciplinary projects in and . Teams of 2 to 5 students collaborate on business plans and prototypes, with stages including ideation, validation, and pitching to judges; since its , the challenge has engaged over 1,000 schools across all 50 U.S. states and more than 70 countries. In 2025, the event saw robust global participation, with approximately 5,000 students from 82 countries enrolling in early stages, culminating in awards for innovative solutions like sustainable water filtration systems and space habitat designs at the Conrad Challenge Summit. Top performers are designated as Pete Conrad Scholars, receiving scholarships, product assessments, and networking opportunities to advance their ideas toward commercialization. Pete Conrad's enduring impact extends beyond his flight record as the only astronaut to command missions across the Gemini, Apollo, and programs, which helped shape U.S. space policy by demonstrating the feasibility of extended and orbital laboratories. His post-NASA entrepreneurial efforts, including founding companies focused on space commercialization, laid early groundwork for the private sector's expansion in satellite communications and launch services, influencing the transition from government-led to hybrid public-private space initiatives. Posthumously, recognitions such as the Pete Conrad Scholarship from the Flight Path Museum at support aspiring and professionals, perpetuating his commitment to and exploration.

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