Karol J. Bobko was an American aerospace engineer, test pilot, and astronaut who served in both the USAF and NASA. He was born on December 23, 1937, and he passed away on August 17, 2023. Bobko was the first US Air Force Academy alumnus to visit space.
In September 1969, following the termination of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) program, Bobko joined NASA Astronaut Group 7.

He was a member of the very effective Skylab Medical Experiment Altitude Test (SMEAT), a 56-day ground simulation of the Skylab mission that allowed crew members to gather baseline data for medical experiments and assess tools, processes, and procedures. Bobko led the test and checkout team at the Kennedy Space Center in the run-up to the first launch of Columbia (STS-1).

Karol J. Bobko Education

In 1955, Karol J. Bobko received his diploma from Brooklyn Technical High School. He enrolled at the U.S. Air Force Academy and graduated in 1959 as a member of the school’s inaugural graduating class. He later attended the University of Southern California to get his master’s in aeronautical engineering.

Karol J. Bobko First Space Flight

Bobko was the first US Air Force Academy alumnus to visit space.

Karol J. Bobko Space Missions

The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project’s (ASTP) astronaut support team included Bobko. In July 1975, this historic first global manned space mission was completed.

Karol J. Bobko Age

Karol J. Bobko was 85 years of age.

Karol J. Bobko Health

It is unclear whether Karol J. Bobko had a disease because it was not reported that he had one.

Karol J. Bobko Death

Karol J. Bobko died from an undisclosed cause of death.