Christopher C. Kraft, at Johnson Space Center, was NASA’s first flight director. Courtesy/NASA
NMMSH News:
ALAMOGORDO ― The New Mexico Museum of Space History and International Space Hall of Fame (ISHF) staff is saddened to note the passing of Christopher C. Kraft, Jr. who passed away July 22. Kraft was a 1988 inductee into the ISHF.
Museum Executive Director Chris Orwoll stated, “Kraft was key to the initial operations of the NASA missions. His outstanding leadership and management led to his eventual selection as the head of the Manned Spacecraft Center. He set the standard of excellence for each and every flight director who has ever served in that position throughout the history of NASA.”
Kraft was born Feb. 28, 1924, in Phoebus, Virginia. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from what is now Virginia Tech University in December 1944. The next month, he joined the Langley Aeronautical Laboratory of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) where he made significant contributions in the field of aeronautical flight research. In October 1958, Kraft was appointed as one of the original members of the Space Task Group, and NASA’s first flight director, to help manage Project Mercury. He was a prime contributor to the development of many of the basic mission and flight control techniques used in manned space flight.
Kraft was flight director for all of the Mercury missions as well as many of the later Gemini flights. During Project Mercury, he helped set up the Manned Spacecraft Center (MSC, now the Johnson Space Center or JSC). JSC is the hub where all of NASA’s manned space programs are conducted.
During the Apollo program, Kraft was the Director of Flight Operations at MSC and was responsible for overall human spaceflight planning, training, and execution. After Apollo 12 in 1969, he became the Deputy Director of the Center, and then Director from 1972 until he retired in 1982. He played a vital role in the success of the final Apollo missions, the Skylab crewed space station, the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project and the first flights of the space shuttle. During those years, he made his mark as the consummate flight planner and set the standard for all the flight directors who would follow.
Kraft was an influential aerospace consultant long after his retirement. He earned many honors in his career, including NASA’s Outstanding Leadership Medal and four NASA’s Distinguished Service Medals. In 2006, NASA further honored Kraft for his involvement in America’s space programs with the Ambassador of Exploration Award. Kraft was inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame in 1988.
Christopher C. Kraft, Jr. passed away July 22, 2019 in Houston, Texas. He was 95 years old. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Betty Anne, along with a son and daughter.
“Scientists say there is no life on the moon. I look at the moon today, see the faces from NASA, industry, science and academe who brilliantly sent Americans to that place, and I know differently. The people of Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo are blossoms on the moon. Their spirits will live there forever. I was part of the crowd, then part of leadership that opened space travel to human beings. We threw a narrow flash of light across our nation’s history. I was there at the best of times.” –Chris Kraft in “Flight: My Life in Mission Control”
The New Mexico Museum of Space History, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is a division of the NM Department of Cultural Affairs. For more information, call 575.437.2840 or toll free 1.877.333.6589 or visit the website at www.nmspacemuseum.org. Like us at: www.facebook.com/NMSpaceMuseum/
(Kraft missions full) Legendary NASA Flight Director Chris Kraft at home in mission control. Courtesy/NASA
Chris Kraft, at Mission Control, played an important role during the Apollo 13 crisis, after having been called into Mission Control almost immediately after the accident by Gene Kranz. He chaired the meeting of senior managers who made the decision on which mode would be used to bring the craft back to Earth. Courtesy/NASA