While all other astronauts who walked on the moon were military trained aviators, one astronaut took a different route.
That honor belongs to Harrison Hagan “Jack” Schmitt. In December 1972, Schmitt joined the historic Apollo 17 mission, marking a blend of science and space exploration. His participation was groundbreaking, as he became the first and only professional geologist to leave Earth’s orbit and set foot on the lunar surface.
Schmitt’s journey to the moon was unique. Unlike other astronauts, he wasn’t a military aviator. Instead, he had a deep background in geology. Before his voyage, Schmitt played a pivotal role in training other Apollo astronauts to recognize and collect lunar samples. His expertise was invaluable to the mission.
As one of NASA’s inaugural scientist-astronauts, Schmitt’s achievements extended beyond space. After returning, he transitioned to politics, serving as a U.S. Senator from New Mexico.
