About
Walter Marty "Wally" Schirra Jr. was an American naval aviator, test pilot, and NASA astronaut, renowned as one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts. He holds the distinction of being the fifth American and ninth human to journey into space, piloting the Mercury-Atlas 8 mission in 1962. Schirra further contributed to the space program as part of the Gemini program, achieving the first space rendezvous in 1965. Later, he commanded Apollo 7, a crucial test flight for the Apollo Command/Service Module.
Career Timeline
Mercury Seven Selection
Chosen as one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts.
Mercury-Atlas 8 Flight
Pilots Mercury-Atlas 8, becoming the fifth American in space.
Gemini 6A Rendezvous
Achieves the first space rendezvous during Gemini 6A mission.
Apollo 7 Command
Commands Apollo 7, a crucial test flight for the Apollo program.
Retires from NASA
Retires from NASA and begins a career in business.
Death
Passes away, remembered as a pioneer of space exploration.
Legacy as Astronaut
Remembered as a pioneering astronaut and key figure in early space exploration.
Related Celebrities
Last updated: February 25, 2026