Retired Nasa astronaut and US Air Force Major General Joe Engle passed away on July 10 at his home in Houston. Engle was the only astronaut to pilot both the X-15 and space shuttle.
Joe died at the age of 91 surrounded by his family.
Engle is survived by his wife, Jeanie, who reflected on his legacy, saying, “Blessed with natural piloting skills, General Joe was at his happiest in any cockpit.His passing leaves a tremendous loss in our hearts. We take comfort that he has joined his best friends, Tom Stafford and George Abbey.”
Born in Dickinson County, Kansas, Engle graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1955. He earned his pilot wings in 1958 through the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Course.
At age 32, Engle became the youngest pilot to qualify as an astronaut while flying the X-15 for the US Air Force. He was the last surviving X-15 pilot and was already engaged in spaceflight operations when he was selected as a Nasa astronaut candidate in 1966.
“A natural pilot, Gen. Joe Engle helped humanity’s dreams take flight,” said Nasa administrator Bill Nelson.
“He was one of the first astronauts I met at Nasa’s Johnson Space Center. I’ll never forget his big smile, his warmth, and his courage. We all will miss him,” Bill added.
Engle supported the Apollo program and was the backup lunar module pilot for Apollo 14. He commanded the space shuttle Enterprise in 1977 and the second flight of the space shuttle Columbia in 1981, where he manually flew the vehicle from Mach 25 to landing. His final mission was commanding the space shuttle Discovery in 1985, deploying and repairing satellites.
“Joe’s accomplishments and legacy of perseverance will continue to inspire and impact generations of explorers for years to come,” said Vanessa Wyche, Nasa Johnson’s center director.
Engle logged over 14,000 flight hours in more than 180 different aircraft types. His military decorations include the Department of Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the US Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Joe died at the age of 91 surrounded by his family.
Engle is survived by his wife, Jeanie, who reflected on his legacy, saying, “Blessed with natural piloting skills, General Joe was at his happiest in any cockpit.His passing leaves a tremendous loss in our hearts. We take comfort that he has joined his best friends, Tom Stafford and George Abbey.”
Born in Dickinson County, Kansas, Engle graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1955. He earned his pilot wings in 1958 through the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Course.
At age 32, Engle became the youngest pilot to qualify as an astronaut while flying the X-15 for the US Air Force. He was the last surviving X-15 pilot and was already engaged in spaceflight operations when he was selected as a Nasa astronaut candidate in 1966.
“A natural pilot, Gen. Joe Engle helped humanity’s dreams take flight,” said Nasa administrator Bill Nelson.
“He was one of the first astronauts I met at Nasa’s Johnson Space Center. I’ll never forget his big smile, his warmth, and his courage. We all will miss him,” Bill added.
Engle supported the Apollo program and was the backup lunar module pilot for Apollo 14. He commanded the space shuttle Enterprise in 1977 and the second flight of the space shuttle Columbia in 1981, where he manually flew the vehicle from Mach 25 to landing. His final mission was commanding the space shuttle Discovery in 1985, deploying and repairing satellites.
“Joe’s accomplishments and legacy of perseverance will continue to inspire and impact generations of explorers for years to come,” said Vanessa Wyche, Nasa Johnson’s center director.
Engle logged over 14,000 flight hours in more than 180 different aircraft types. His military decorations include the Department of Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the US Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster.