Karol J. Bobko
Karol J. Bobko | |
|---|---|
| Born | Karol Joseph Bobko 23 December 1937 Queens, New York, U.S. |
| Died | 17 August 2023 (aged 85) Half Moon Bay, California, U.S. |
| Other names | Bo Bobko |
| Occupation(s) | Aerospace engineer, test pilot, astronaut, U.S. Air Force officer |
| Years active | 1960–1988 (military and NASA) |
| Known for | First USAF Academy graduate in space; piloted three different Space Shuttles; commanded STS-51-D and STS-51-J missions |
Karol Joseph "Bo" Bobko (December 23, 1937 – August 17, 2023) was an American aerospace engineer, U.S. Air Force officer, test pilot, and astronaut affiliated with both the USAF and NASA. He holds the distinction of being the first alumnus of the United States Air Force Academy to venture into space and the only astronaut to pilot three distinct space shuttles during separate missions: STS-6, STS-51-D, and STS-51-J.
Early life and education
Born on December 23, 1937, in Queens, New York, Colonel Bobko descended from Polish and Lithuanian heritage. He completed his secondary education at Brooklyn Technical High School in 1955 before earning a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Air Force Academy in 1959. Later, in 1970, he received a Master of Science in aerospace engineering from the University of Southern California.
Military service
As a member of the inaugural graduating class of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Bobko earned his commission and navigator rating before completing pilot training at Bartow Air Base, Florida, and Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, where he was awarded his pilot wings in 1960.
Between 1961 and 1965, he operated F-100 and F-105 aircraft with the 523d Tactical Fighter Squadron stationed at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, and the 336th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. After attending Aerospace Research Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, he was selected as an astronaut for the USAF Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) program in 1966.
Throughout his career, Bobko accumulated more than 6,600 flight hours across multiple aircraft types including the F-100, F-104, F-105, T-33, and T-38.
NASA career
Following the termination of the MOL program, Bobko became part of NASA Astronaut Group 7 in September 1969. He took part in the Skylab Medical Experiment Altitude Test (SMEAT), a rigorous 56-day ground-based simulation designed to support Skylab by gathering medical data and testing equipment alongside operational procedures.
He contributed to the astronaut support team for the Apollo–Soyuz Test Project (ASTP), which represented the first international crewed space mission in July 1975. Additionally, Bobko played a key role during the Space Shuttle Approach and Landing Tests at Edwards Air Force Base as both CAPCOM and primary chase pilot.
In preparation for Space Shuttle Columbia’s inaugural mission (STS-1), he led astronaut testing and checkout activities at Kennedy Space Center.
Bobko completed three space missions totaling 386 hours in orbit. He was not only the first graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy to journey into space but also distinguished himself as the first astronaut to fly aboard three different shuttle vehicles. He served as pilot on STS-6 (April 4–9, 1983) and commanded STS-51-D (April 12–19, 1985) as well as STS-51-J (October 3–7, 1985).
Spaceflight experience
On STS-6, which launched from Kennedy Space Center on April 4, 1983, Bobko acted as pilot aboard the maiden voyage of Challenger. The crew successfully deployed the communications satellite (TDRS-1) along with its Inertial Upper Stage to place it into geosynchronous orbit. This mission also included the Shuttle program’s first-ever extravehicular activity (EVA), as well as experiments focused on materials processing and lightning detection. After spending approximately 120 hours in orbit, Challenger returned to Earth with a landing at Edwards Air Force Base on April 9.
Bobko’s second mission was as commander of STS-51-D, which launched on April 12, 1985. The flight involved deploying two communications satellites and conducting scientific experiments such as electrophoresis and echocardiography. When one satellite malfunctioned, the crew executed an unplanned spacewalk involving an orbital rendezvous maneuver and utilized the remote manipulator system to activate it — a first for shuttle missions. After nearly seven days in space totaling about 168 hours, Discovery landed back at Kennedy Space Center on April 19.
His final journey was commanding STS-51-J beginning October 3, 1985 — notable as the second Department of Defense mission and also marking Atlantis’’' inaugural flight. The classified payload mission lasted roughly 98 hours before Atlantis touched down at Edwards Air Force Base on October 7. Bobko is uniquely recognized for piloting three different shuttles and commanding two shuttle maiden flights during his career.
Post-NASA Career
After concluding his tenure with NASA and the Air Force in 1988, Bobko transitioned to Booz Allen Hamilton based in Houston, Texas. There, he served as a principal overseeing human spaceflight initiatives, concentrating on advanced training simulations, engineering of both hardware and software systems, spacecraft evaluation, space station design, and the coordination of program integration efforts.
In 2000, Bobko assumed the role of Vice President for Strategic Programs at SPACEHAB, Inc., where he directed the creation of concepts, procedures, and hardware tailored for upcoming spaceflight missions. Five years later, he joined Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) as Program Manager for the Simulation Laboratories (SimLabs) contract at NASA’s Ames Research Center.
Personal Life and Passing
Bobko was married to F. Dianne Welsh and was a father to two children. He resided in Half Moon Bay, California. On August 17, 2023, at the age of 85, he passed away there due to complications related to a degenerative nervous system disorder.
Awards and Honors
- Defense Superior Service Medal
- Legion of Merit
- Distinguished Flying Cross
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal
- Two Meritorious Service Medals (1970 and 1979)
- Two NASA Exceptional Service Medals
- Three NASA Space Flight Medals
- Six Johnson Space Center Group Achievement Awards
- Air Force Academy Jabara Award (1983)
- Inductee of the Cradle of Aviation Museum Long Island Air & Space Hall of Fame
- Inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame (2011)
- Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (2020)