Russell L. Rogers
Russell Lee Rogers,, 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
Rogers 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
Rogers flew 142 missions as a fighter pilot during the Korean War. As a U.S. Air Force [Test Pilot School|USAF Test Pilot School] graduate, he was an experimental test pilot at Edwards AFB, California. During this assignment, Rogers served as a key member of the team that tested the Northrop T-38 Talon jet trainer. He was also a member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots. In April 1960, he was selected for the X-20 program. After several years supporting the Boeing-led program as a pilot consultant, Rogers left the X-20 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 and was commander of the 12th Tactical Fighter Squadron with the rank of Lt. Colonel at the time of his death.