(AP) — Retired astronaut and NASA test pilot C. Gordon Fullerton is being treated in a Southern California hospital after suffering a massive stroke.

His wife, Marie, said in a statement Friday that the 73-year-old Fullerton suffered the stroke during an outpatient procedure on Dec. 31 and is improving at a facility specializing in stroke treatment.

The former Air Force fighter and bomber pilot flew approach and landing tests of the space shuttle prototype Enterprise. He was also the pilot on a Columbia mission in 1982 and commander of a Challenger mission in 1985.

Fullerton then transferred to NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center and flew major research projects and shuttle ferry flights until retiring in 2007.

Fullerton's family asked for privacy.

Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Nassau Conference II football matchup between Calhoun at Carey, plus the comeback story of New Hyde Park's Gabriel Peter, an update on the high school fantasy football standings and the plays of the week. Credit: Randee Daddona, Gary Licker, Anthony Santino

Sarra Sounds Off, Season 3, Ep 4: Top football teams in action, fantasy update and plays of the week Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Nassau Conference II football matchup between Calhoun at Carey, plus the comeback story of New Hyde Park's Gabriel Peter, an update on the high school fantasy football standings and the plays of the week.

Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Nassau Conference II football matchup between Calhoun at Carey, plus the comeback story of New Hyde Park's Gabriel Peter, an update on the high school fantasy football standings and the plays of the week. Credit: Randee Daddona, Gary Licker, Anthony Santino

Sarra Sounds Off, Season 3, Ep 4: Top football teams in action, fantasy update and plays of the week Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Nassau Conference II football matchup between Calhoun at Carey, plus the comeback story of New Hyde Park's Gabriel Peter, an update on the high school fantasy football standings and the plays of the week.

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