NASA's Astronaut Group 2, also known as The New Nine, was the second group of astronauts selected by NASA in September 1962. The group was required to augment the original Mercury 7 with the announcement of the Gemini program and leading to the Apollo program. While the Original 7 had been selected to accomplish the relatively more simple task of orbital flight, the new challenges of rendezvous and lunar landing led to the selection of candidates with advanced engineering degrees (for four of the New Nine) as well as test pilot experience. In addition, Group 2 became the first group with civilian test pilots in the group; one flew for General Electric, while another flew the X-15 research plane for NASA.
A chart showing Group 2 assignments in Gemini and Apollo in relation to assignments from other astronaut groups. This clearly shows how Group 2 formed the core of the commanders (designated with a 'star') for Moon missions, with all seven surviving members of the group given an Apollo command.
Commander, first docking (Gemini ATV) in space and first mission abort from earth orbit; Commander, first manned lunar landing; first person to walk on the Moon.
Pilot, first 8 day manned mission and first re-boost to set record for human earth orbit altitude record; Commander, second manned lunar landing; third man to walk on the Moon. Commander, first successful US space station mission and space endurance record of 28 days.
Pilot, first mission to orbit the Moon. First man to travel to vicinity of the Moon twice. Commander, first mission abort beyond earth orbit aboard Apollo 13. Absolute human altitude record.
Pilot, first American EVA mission; conducted first American EVA. Slated to be the Prime Crew Pilot for first Apollo mission, but died in the Apollo 1 fire.
Pilot, first mission to change orbit plane; Commander, first mission to dock with two different craft ("Gemini ATV") in Earth orbit. Command Module Pilot, lunar landing test mission; first person to orbit the Moon solo and orbit the Moon twice; Commander, fifth lunar landing; ninth person to walk on the Moon; Commander, first Space Shuttle mission; first person to travel into space 6 times.
