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The Tragic Promise of Charles Bassett | Columbus News
A tragic loss in the making of space history: Charles Bassett, a brilliant Air Force captain and NASA astronaut destined to fly Gemini 9 and potentially walk on the moon, died at 34 in a 1966 jet crash alongside fellow astronaut Elliot See. Raised by a military father and inspired by flight, Bassett became a top test pilot and aeronautical engineer, logging thousands of hours and devouring science to prepare for space. Though his NASA selection was delayed by a minor glitch, his drive and passion for inspiring youth shone brightly. Just months from his mission, fate intervened — the crash…
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