Originally Posted by
CliveL
it is becoming embarrassing - besides, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
OK, no more after that, I promise (as agreed). But, just this once and with all due respect - take the bleedin' compliment!
gums
One thing I do know is that during the Apollo era, the late, great Alan Shepard was at the top extreme of what NASA would allow when he commanded Apollo 14 at 47 years of age. Because the surviving Mercury 7 tended to retire during the Apollo era in their early 40s I'd wager that he was actually probably over what they originally intended, but Deke Slayton didn't have the heart to deny him after fighting his way back to flight status following experimental surgery for Ménière's disease - which had until then left him grounded.