Deke Slayton
American astronaut (1924-1993) · United States · On the map · Astronauts · Died at 69
Donald Kent "Deke" Slayton was an American Air Force pilot, aeronautical engineer, test pilot, and one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts. He went on to become NASA's first chief of the Astronaut Office and director of Flight Crew Operations, responsible for NASA crew assignments.
Deke Slayton is read about 360 times a day, in 39 languages.
A typical day, 30 days to 6 November 2026
The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 104 days, one point a day.
Something wrong?A life in dates
1996National Aviation Hall of FameAward1993Died13 June 1993NASA Distinguished Service MedalAward1990International Space Hall of FameAward1982NASA Distinguished Service MedalAward1981NASA Outstanding Leadership MedalAward1978NASA Outstanding Leadership MedalAward1975In historySoyuz-Apollo Test ProjectWith 
Alexey Leonov 3 moreCrewNASA Distinguished Service MedalAward1969NASA Distinguished Service MedalAward1965NASA Distinguished Service MedalAward1924Born1 March 1924
Alexey Leonov 3 moreCrewNASA Distinguished Service MedalAward1969NASA Distinguished Service MedalAward1965NASA Distinguished Service MedalAward1924Born1 March 1924People around Deke
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Photos 8
Deke Slayton as a bomber pilot during World War II
Deke Slayton (right) beside a Douglas A-26 bomber
Deke Slayton
Deke Slayton (on stool at left) and the Apollo 11 crew during the last pre-flight press conference
Deke Slayton (right) with cosmonaut Alexei Leonov in the Soyuz spacecraft
Deke Slayton in 1981Awards
About this person
Country
United States
Category
Astronauts
Type
Astronaut
Status
Deceased
Dates
Lived 1924 to 1993 · aged 69
