Apollo 9 Astronaut Rusty Schweickart Lists His Butter-Yellow Bay Area Home for $2.5 Million—Complete With Space-Inspired Touches

A former NASA astronaut is preparing to blast off from his longtime Sonoma, CA, home, 25 years after he touched down in the charming abode.

Rusty Schweickart, 89, from New Jersey, joined NASA in 1963, becoming the youngest person to be chosen as a part of Astronaut Group 3—and he was later named as the Lunar Module Pilot for the agency’s Apollo 9 program.

The mission was the third human spaceflight in the Apollo initiative and saw Schweickart logging 241 hours in space, according to his website.

“Schweickart later served as backup commander for the first Skylab mission where his work in overcoming initial solar shield problems earned him NASA’s Exceptional Service Medal,” his biography states.

“In 1974 Schweickart moved to NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC, to assume an executive position in NASA’s Space Applications Directorate.”

His move to California came in 1977, when he was hired by California Gov. Jerry Brown‘s assistant for science and technology. It was a role the former astronaut held for more than two years.

However, it was not until 2000, 10 years after he wed his second wife, Nancy, that Schweickart moved into a beautiful butter-yellow property in Sonoma.

The couple bought the home for $680,000, and it has served as their primary residence ever since. Today, it even boasts some unique space-themed touches inspired by Schweickart’s time in space.

“At once elegant and comfortable, the home offers an expansive sunlit space,” the listing states. “The dramatic entry with a soaring ceiling and split staircase draws your eyes upward. The custom ceiling light fixture glows with soft light to welcome you home.”

According to listing agent Kathleen Leonard, with Compass, that soft glow was inspired by Schweickart’s unique perspective of the stars.

“Our space-loving owner brought his experience of the stars home with him in the ceiling light in the entryway,” she told SFGate. “Its adjustable halo is soft and glows like a nearby star.”

Much like the home’s vibrant exterior, its main living spaces boast a cheerful aesthetic, with natural light filling many of the rooms. A “magical” orangerie that sits between the kitchen and the living room serves as the perfect place to embrace the beauty of the dwelling’s natural surroundings.

“Between the kitchen and living room is a magical space; a beautiful orangerie with floor to ceiling windows and skylights,” the description continues. “Designed to accommodate living plants, this room truly brings the outdoors in and is the center of activity in the home.”

The orangerie was given a stunning transformation as part of a renovation that was carried out by Schweickart and his wife, with the former astronaut explaining that it helped to make the home feel truly “complete.”

That special space is of particular significance to Schweickart, who told SFGate that the room is the perfect place to enjoy the changing seasons—while also providing a picturesque view of the stars at night.

“Our Orangerie was inspired by the grand, antique orangeries of ‘old’ Europe that bring the beautiful outside in and share nature’s beauty all year long,” he told the outlet.

“The colors and design of our lovely garden can join the room while the skylights welcome both sun and stars. … It made the renovation complete and anchors the home into unique comfort.”

The three-bedroom, 2.5-bath home comes with a picturesque backyard that offers a great spot for “dining al fresco” and “enjoying serene evenings under the open sky.”

In total, the dwelling spreads across more than 3,000 square feet, providing ample room for a growing family—or a buyer who simply wishes to own a piece of space history.

“Embrace the opportunity to own this remarkable home, where every detail has been carefully curated to offer an unparalleled lifestyle in a most desirable locale,” the listing concludes.