American Astronaut. One of the “Original Seven” Mercury astronauts, he was grounded in 1962 due to a minor heart fibrillation. He was later named Director of Flight Crew Operations (otherwise known as “Chief Astronaut”), selecting all astronauts for crews until 1973, when he was restored to flight status. He flew 1 mission, the 1975 Apollo-Soyuz Test Project – the first linkup in space with the then Soviet Union. He was later President of Space Services, a private rocket corporation. He helped design the “Conestoga 1”, which was launched in 1983.  Family links:  Spouse:  Bobbie Belle Jones Slayton (1945 – 2010)* *Calculated relationshipCause of death: Brain cancer