NASA Astronaut Thomas Stafford, the Commander of Apollo 10, Dead at 93

The commander of 1969’s Apollo 10 died on Monday in Florida at the age of 93

NASA astronaut Thomas Stafford has died at the age of 93.

The commander of 1969’s Apollo 10 died on Monday in Florida, according to the Stafford Air & Space Museum.

“It is with great sadness that the Stafford Air & Space Museum announces the passing of its namesake, Lt. General Thomas P. Stafford (USAF, ret.),” a statement on the museum's website read. “General Stafford passed away on March 18, 2024 in Indian Harbor, Florida. General Stafford was 93.”

Per the Associated Press, Stafford participated in four space missions — including three as commander — and flew on two Gemini flights before Apollo 10. He is also one of 24 NASA astronauts who have flown to the moon, though he didn't land there.

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“Today General Tom Stafford went to the eternal heavens which he so courageously explored as a Gemini and Apollo astronaut as well as a peacemaker in Apollo Soyuz,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Monday. “Those of us privileged to know him are very sad but grateful we knew a giant.”

Stafford’s Apollo 10 mission took place from May 18-May 26, 1969 with late members John Young and Eugene Cernan.

“The most impressive sight, I think, that really changed your view of things is when you first see Earth,” Stafford said in a 1997 oral history, per AP.

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The mission, which saw Stafford and Cernan take a luna lander within nine miles of the moon's surface, was a dress rehearsal for Apollo 11's historic moon landing two months later. It also set the world record for having the fastest return to Earth by a crewed vehicle at 24,791 mph (39,897 kph), per AP.

Stafford, who was born in Weatherford, Oklahoma in 1930, is survived by his wife Linda, with whom he shared sons Michael Thomas and Stanislav “Stas” Patten, according to the Stafford Air & Space Museum.

He also shared daughters Dionne Kay and Karin Elaine with his first wife, the late Faye L. Shoemaker.

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