Printable Biography of Scott Carpenter

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Carpenter was commissioned into the U.S. Navy in 1949, and later was designated Naval Aviator in 1951. He served during the Korean War with Patrol Squadron Six. He attended the Navy Test Pilot School in 1954 and was subsequently assigned to the electronics test division of the Naval Air Test Center. From 1957 to 1959 he attended the Navy General Line School and the Navy Air Intelligence School and was then assigned as Air Intelligence Officer to the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Hornet.

Carpenter was selected as one of the original seven Mercury astronauts in 1959, undergoing intensive training with NASA, specializing in the fields of communication and navigation. He served as the backup for John Glenn during the preparation for America's first manned orbital flight. Carpenter flew the second American manned orbital flight in 1962, piloting his Aurora 7 spacecraft through three revolutions of the earth in less than five hours.

While on leave from NASA, he joined the Navy's Man-In-The-Sea project as an aquanaut in the SEALAB II program in the summer of 1965. During the 45-day experiment, Carpenter spent thirty days living and working on the ocean floor as team leader of the expedition. Through this fascinating expedition, he discovered a realm of rich possibilities for helping humankind.

After retiring from the Navy in 1969, Carpenter founded and was CEO of Sea Sciences, Inc. Working towards improving the health of oceans and better utilizing ocean resources, Sea Sciences, Inc. worked closely with Jacques Cousteau and his Calypso team. Additional projects in which Carpenter has taken a leading role include biological pest control and the production of energy from industrial waste.

Carpenter continues to apply his knowledge of aerospace and ocean engineering as a consultant to industry and the private sector. He lectures frequently in the United States and abroad on the history and future of ocean and space technology. He has appeared as television spokesman for such corporations as General Motors (Oldsmobile), Nintendo, and Atari. He has hosted and narrated a number of television documentaries, as well as serving as an actor/consultant to the film industry in the fields of space flight, oceanography, and the global environment. He has written two novels, "The Steel Albatross" and "Deep Flight," both dubbed "underwater techno-thrillers."

Some awards include the Navy's Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, U.S. Navy Astronaut Wings, and the New York City Gold Medal of Honor.

Carpenter's new book is For Spacious Skies: The Uncommon Journey of a Mercury Astronaut.