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.
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.
External links[]
- Astronautix biography of Russell L. Rogers
- Spacefacts biography of Russell L. Rogers
- Russell L. Rogers at Find a Grave
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