Charles Arthur „Charlie“ Bassett II

Born:	December 30, 1931 in Dayton, Ohio, USA
Died:	February 28, 1966 in St. Louis, Missouri, Texas, USA
Spouse:	Jeannie Martin
Children:	2
Selection:	October 17, 1963 (NASA Group 3)
Retirement:	February 28, 1966
Missions:	–
Time in space:	–

Charles Arthur Bassett II was introduced to the public on October 17, 1963, along with 13 others, as NASA’s third group of astronauts. In addition to his astronaut training, he was also responsible for simulator training.

On November 8, 1965, he was selected as the pilot for the planned Gemini 9 mission. Elliot See was nominated as his commander.

During the Gemini 6 and Gemini 7 flights in December 1965, he served as a liaison officer (Capcom) from the flight control center in Houston.

On February 28, 1966, the primary and backup crews of Gemini 9 flew to St. Louis in two T-38 Talon aircraft to visit McDonnell, the manufacturer of the Gemini spacecraft. Elliot See piloted the lead aircraft with Bassett as co-pilot. Due to poor visibility, See missed the runway at St. Louis Airport. After completing a low-altitude circuit, the aircraft clipped the roof of McDonnell Corp. Building 101 and crashed. See and Bassett were killed instantly. Building 101 housed, among other things, the spacecraft for the Gemini 9 and Gemini 10 missions.

Charles Bassett was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. His name is inscribed on the metal plaque of the Fallen Astronaut, the only artwork on the moon.