Space and Things · And Things Productions

STP158 - The Real Astronaut Wives - with Jessica Carr and Bruce McCandless III

September 7, 2023·1 hr 3 min·5 clips

After Marilyn Lovell's passing, hear from children of astronauts about their non-astronaut parents' experiences.

This episode explores the lives of astronaut spouses through the perspectives of their children. Hosts Emily Carney and Dave Giles welcome Jessica Carr, daughter of Skylab 4 Commander Jerry Carr, and Bruce McCandless III, son of the astronaut who performed the first untethered spacewalk. The conversation aims to honor figures like the recently passed Marilyn Lovell by shifting focus to the families at home. Jessica Carr shares stories about her mother, JoAnn Carr, who managed the household during her father's 84-day Skylab mission. Bruce McCandless III discusses his mother, Bernice McCandless, and her experiences during his father's historic spacewalk from the Space Shuttle Challenger. The hosts reference the recent death of Marilyn Lovell, wife of Apollo 13 commander Jim Lovell, as a catalyst for the discussion. Specific anecdotes detail the constant public attention and media scrutiny faced by families. The episode describes the practical challenges of long-duration missions, including managing finances and parenting solo. It touches on the emotional weight of launch days and the inherent risks of spaceflight. Historical context is provided about the astronaut wife "corps" and its social dynamics during the Apollo era. A key insight is that public perception of the "perfect astronaut family" often conflicted with private reality. Jessica Carr reveals her mother had to be the disciplinarian and handle all crises, big and small, alone. Bruce McCandless III notes his mother watched the untethered spacewalk with great anxiety, knowing there was no backup plan. The episode highlights how spouses formed vital support networks with each other during missions. It is suggested that the spouses' contributions were historically undervalued compared to the astronauts'. Personal stories illustrate the children's own pride mixed with the strangeness of having a publicly famous parent. The tone is respectful, conversational, and historically reflective. The style is interview-based, allowing the guests to share personal family narratives. This episode would appeal to space history enthusiasts interested in the human side of the Apollo and Shuttle eras. Listeners seeking purely technical spaceflight details might find the domestic focus less engaging.

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