US astronaut John Young, who walked on the moon in 1972 and was the only person to fly with three NASA space programs, has died aged 87.

Young, who went to space six times, died at his home in Houston following complications from pneumonia.

The former US Navy test pilot was the ninth person to set foot on the moon, an experience shared by three others after Young.

He eventually became one of the most accomplished astronauts in the history of the US space programme.

- AAP