Donald Herod Peterson (October 22, 1933 – May 27, 2018) was a United States Air Force officer and NASA astronaut. Peterson was originally selected for the Air Force Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) program, but, when that was canceled, he became a NASA astronaut in September 1969. He was a mission specialist on STS-6 on board Challenger. During the mission Peterson performed a spacewalk to test the new airlock and space suits. He logged 120 hours in space. Peterson retired from NASA in 1984.
Biography
Early life and education
Donald Peterson was born in Winona, Mississippi, on October 22, 1933.
Peterson desired financial help for college, and after listening to a Navy recruiter's speech, elected to join a service academy. He enrolled in the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, and received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1955, electing to join the Air Force.
NASA career
thumb|Peterson and Musgrave performing the Shuttle's first EVA during STS-6
Peterson became part of NASA Astronaut Group 7 in September 1969 after the MOL program was cancelled.
Peterson retired from the United States Air Force with the rank of colonel after having completed more than 24 years of active service, but continued his assignment as a NASA astronaut in a civilian capacity. He was a mission specialist on STS-6, which launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on April 4, 1983. The crew was dubbed "The Geritol Bunch" for their high experience. They had three children. She died in 2017. He died on May 27, 2018, at his home in El Lago, Texas, of Alzheimer's disease and bone cancer, at the age of 84.
Honors
He was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the JSC Group Achievement Award (1972).