Cronkite Seeks to Join Shuttle Flight
Television newsman Walter Cronkite has covered every beat on Earth and now he wants to go out of this world.
The veteran journalist, who will be 70 this year, wants to be the first correspondent to cover space from space, Newsweek magazine reported Sunday.
The longtime former anchor of “CBS Evening News” is applying to be the first journalist to travel in space when the National Aeronautics and Space Administration launches its “Journalist in Space” program this fall, the magazine said.
NASA officials said Cronkite is a strong candidate, adding that there is no age limit for the flight and the only requirement is “reasonably good health.”
Cronkite told Newsweek that he is fit enough to play a vigorous game of tennis and has always dreamed of going to the moon.
Barring that opportunity, Cronkite said, “I’ll gladly accept a shuttle.”
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
