James W. Wood
Encyclopedia
James Wayne Wood was an American astronaut in the X-20 Dyna-Soar
program.
He was born in Paragould, Arkansas
on August 9, 1924.
Wood earned a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology
in 1956. He was serving as an experimental test pilot at the Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB, California
when selected for the X-20 Dyna-Soar program.
Wood was the senior test pilot on the Dyna-Soar project and was slated to be the pilot on its first sub-orbital mission. If the program had not been cancelled, the first flight was scheduled for July 1966.
After the Dyna-Soar program was cancelled in December 1963, he remained with the U.S. Air Force and served as Commander of Test Operations at Edwards Air Force Base
. He retired from the U.S. Air Force with the rank of colonel.
He was married and had three children. He died on January 1, 1990 of natural causes.
X-20 Dyna-Soar
The X-20 Dyna-Soar was a United States Air Force program to develop a spaceplane that could be used for a variety of military missions, including reconnaissance, bombing, space rescue, satellite maintenance, and sabotage of enemy satellites...
program.
He was born in Paragould, Arkansas
Paragould, Arkansas
-Health & Education:Paragould is home to Arkansas State University Paragould, Arkansas Northeastern College, Black River Technical College, and Crowley's Ridge College. Paragould has two public school districts, the Greene County Technical School District and the Paragould School District, as well...
on August 9, 1924.
Wood earned a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology
Air Force Institute of Technology
The Air Force Institute of Technology is a graduate school and provider of professional and continuing education that is part of the United States Air Force. It is located on Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. A component of Air University and Air Education and Training Command, AFIT has been...
in 1956. He was serving as an experimental test pilot at the Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
when selected for the X-20 Dyna-Soar program.
Wood was the senior test pilot on the Dyna-Soar project and was slated to be the pilot on its first sub-orbital mission. If the program had not been cancelled, the first flight was scheduled for July 1966.
After the Dyna-Soar program was cancelled in December 1963, he remained with the U.S. Air Force and served as Commander of Test Operations at Edwards Air Force Base
Edwards Air Force Base
Edwards Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located on the border of Kern County, Los Angeles County, and San Bernardino County, California, in the Antelope Valley. It is southwest of the central business district of North Edwards, California and due east of Rosamond.It is named in...
. He retired from the U.S. Air Force with the rank of colonel.
He was married and had three children. He died on January 1, 1990 of natural causes.