Russell L. Rogers

Russell Lee Rogers (April 12, 1928 – September 13, 1967), (Lt Col, USAF), was an American electrical engineer, U.S. Air Force officer, test pilot, and astronaut in the X-20 Dyna-Soar program.

Russell L. Rogers
Born(1928-04-12)April 12, 1928
DiedSeptember 13, 1967(1967-09-13) (aged 39)
NationalityAmerican
Other namesRussell Lee Rogers
Alma materUniversity of Colorado, B.S. 1958
OccupationTest pilot
Space career
USAF Astronaut
Rank Lieutenant Colonel, USAF
Selection1960 Dyna-Soar Group 1
MissionsNone

Early life and education

He was born on April 12, 1928, in Lawrence, Kansas. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Colorado in 1958. He was married with five children.

Test pilot

As a USAF Test Pilot School graduate, Rogers was an experimental test pilot at Edwards AFB, California when selected for the X-20 program in April 1960. He left the program on December 10, 1963, when it was cancelled.

After the X-20 program, he remained in the U.S. Air Force on active flight duty as a pilot with the rank of Lt. Colonel at the time of his death.

Death

Rogers was killed when the engine of his F-105 fighter plane failed near Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan on September 13, 1967. He ejected from his aircraft, but his parachute failed to deploy properly. He was 39 years old.


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