Marion and Jan Dietrich
(left) Jan Dietrich.(right) Marion Dietrich
Twin Sisters Marion and Dan Dietrich both graduated from the University of Califronia-Berkley in 1949. After College they followed different paths, and Marion dedcided to pursue a career in Journalism while Jan went on to be a flight instructor. The girls did everything together so it was strange for them to finally be seperated from each other for the first time.
Marion worked as a writer and feature reporter for The Oakland(Calif.) Tribune.
Marion worked as a writer and feature reporter for The Oakland(Calif.) Tribune.
Marion Dietrich and her sister were 34 when they got word that they had passed
the screening test for the Lovelace Clinic in Albuquerque,New Mexico for
astronaut training. By the time she arrived at the clinic, Marion had already
1500 hours of flying time. She received the same medical psychological tests as
the Mercury 13 astronaut.In the end she qualified as a Mercury 13 finalist,
considered by Dr.Lovelace for her astronaut training. Sadly, Marion died of
cancer in 1974 and never got to the chance to meet any of the other women of
Mercury 13.
the screening test for the Lovelace Clinic in Albuquerque,New Mexico for
astronaut training. By the time she arrived at the clinic, Marion had already
1500 hours of flying time. She received the same medical psychological tests as
the Mercury 13 astronaut.In the end she qualified as a Mercury 13 finalist,
considered by Dr.Lovelace for her astronaut training. Sadly, Marion died of
cancer in 1974 and never got to the chance to meet any of the other women of
Mercury 13.
Jan Dietrich in January of 1961 became the second women, after Jerrie Cobb, to pass the Lovelace medical tests for astronaut viability, She knew her sister would be one of the next canindates she gave her tips like "come with a little extra weight; you will miss one or two meals every day” and "try not to have your color portrait taken the day they rub clay all over your face for the electroencephalogram.” Jan was one of the first women in the U.S. to get the highest FAA licence. She now lives near San Francisco.