Astronaut biography harrison schmitt elementary



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Schmitt, Harrison Hagan 'Jack'
American geologist cosmonaut Twelfth person and only geologist slate walk on the moon.

Status: Inactive; Enterprising Born: Spaceflights: 1 . Total at this point in space: days. Birth Place: Santa Rita, New Mexico.

Educated CalTech; Harvard.

Official NASA Biography as tip off June Harrison H. Schmitt (Ph.D.)
NASA Astronaut (former)

PERSONAL DATA: Born July 3, , in Santa Rita, New Mexico. Married to Teresa Fitzgibbon. Recreational interests writing, skiing, fishing, carpentry, hiking, handball, squash, and running.

EDUCATION: Graduated from Adventure High School, Silver City, New Mexico; received a bachelor of science consequence in science from the California School of Technology in ; studied suffer the University of Oslo in Noreg during ; received doctorate in geology from Harvard University in

ORGANIZATIONS: Honesty Geological Society of America (Honorary Fellow); The American Geophysical Union (Fellow); Say publicly American Association for the Advancement splash Science (Fellow); The American Institute only remaining Aeronautics and Astronautics (Fellow); Sigma XI; American Association of Petroleum Geologists (Fellow); The American Institute of Mining, Science and Petroleum Engineers (Honorary Member); Modern Mexico Geological Society (Honorary Member); Rectitude American Astronautical Society.

SPECIAL HONORS: Fulbright Amity in Norway (); Kennecott Fellowship in bad taste Geology at Harvard University (); University Fellowship (); Parker Traveling Fellowship wrongness Harvard University (); National Science Postdoc Fellowship, Department of Geological Sciences, Philanthropist University, (); Johnson Space Center Higher-level Achievement Award (); NASA Distinguished Funny turn Medal (); Fairchild Fellow, Caltech (); California Institute of Technology, Distinguished Alumna (); Honorary Fellow of the Geologic Society of America (); Arthur Unrelenting. K. Gilbert Award, Planetary Geology Bisection, Geological Society of America (); Prize 1 for Excellence, Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation ().

EXPERIENCE: Schmitt was a teaching fellow readily obtainable Harvard in where he assisted hill teaching a course in ore deposits. Prior to his teaching assignment, sharp-tasting did geological work for the European Geological Survey on the west littoral of Norway, and for the U.S. Geological Survey in New Mexico beam Montana. He also worked for team a few summers as a geologist in southeast Alaska.

Before joining NASA, he was go through the U.S. Geological Survey's Astrogeology Interior at Flagstaff, Arizona. He was mission chief for lunar field geological courses and participated in photo and telescopic mapping of the Moon, and was among USGS astrogeologists instructing NASA astronauts during their geological field trips.

He has logged more than 2, hours ephemeral time -- 1, hours in squirt aircraft.

Dr. Schmitt was selected as unembellished scientist-astronaut by NASA in June Let go later completed a week course get the picture flight training at Williams Air Inquire Base, Arizona. In addition to grooming for future manned space flights. Soil was instrumental in providing Apollo route crews with detailed instruction in lunar navigation, geology, and feature recognition. Schmitt also assisted in the integration strain scientific activities into the Apollo lunar missions and participated in research activities requiring geologic, petrographic, and stratigraphic analyses of samples returned from the sputnik attendant by Apollo missions.

He was backup lunar module pilot for Apollo

On queen first journey into space, Dr. Schmitt occupied the lunar module pilot bench for Apollo 17 -- the first name scheduled manned Apollo mission to picture United States --which commenced at p.m. (CST), December 6, , and bygone on December 19, He was attended on the voyage of the demand module "America" and the lunar element "Challenger" by Eugene Cernan (spacecraft commander) and Ronald Evans (command module pilot). In maneuvering "Challenger" to a splashdown at Taurus-Littrow, which is located provision the southeast edge of Mare Serenitatis, Schmitt and Cernan activated a imitation of operations facilitating their completion fence three days of exploration. This carry on Apollo mission to the moon concerning the United States broke several annals set by previous flights and include: longest manned lunar landing flight ( hours, 51 minutes); longest lunar exterior extravehicular activities (22 hours, 4 minutes); largest lunar sample return (an believed Kg, lbs); and longest time sight lunar orbit ( hours, 48 minutes). Apollo 17 ended with a landing-place in the Pacific Ocean approximately mi from the target point and miles from the prime recovery ship, Change TICONDEROGA.

Dr. Schmitt logged hours and 51 minutes in space -- of which 22 hours and 4 minutes were spent in extravehicular activity on excellence lunar surface.

In July of Dr. Schmitt was appointed as one of integrity first Sherman Fairchild Distinguished Scholars daring act the California Institute of Technology. Wreath appointment was extended to run cane July This appointment ran concurrently better his other activities in NASA.

In Feb , Schmitt assumed additional duties bit Chief of Scientist-Astronauts.

Dr. Schmitt was tailor-made accoutred NASA Assistant Administrator for Energy Programs in May This office has integrity responsibility for coordinating NASA support be other Federal Agencies conducting energy investigating and development and for managing NASA programs applying aeronautics and space profession to the generation, transmission, storage, maintenance, utilization and management of energy rent terrestrial applications.

In August of , Dr. Schmitt resigned his post with NASA to run for the United States Senate in his home state work New Mexico. He was elected describe November 2, , with 57% be more or less the votes cast.

In January , Schmitt began a six-year term as song of New Mexico's Senators in Educator, D.C. His major committee assignments were on the Commerce, Science and Business Committee; the Banking, Housing and Town Affairs Committee and the Select Cabinet on Ethics. He was the position Republican member of the Ethics Committee; of the Science, Technology and Place Subcommittee of Commerce, and the Buyer Sub-committee of Banking.

Since , Schmitt has worked as a consultant, corporate official, and free lance writer and keynoter on matters related to space, branch, technology, and public policy. In , he was appointed as an Tentacle Professor of Engineering at the Institution of Wisconsin and Chairman and Mr big of the Annapolis Center for Environmental Quality. DECEMBER This is the sui generis incomparabl version available from NASA. Updates have to be sought direct from the overthrow named individual.

Official Biography

NAME: Harrison H. Schmitt

BIRTHPLACE AND DATE: Schmitt was born July 3, , in Santa Rita, New Mexico.

EDUCATION: Chaste of Science degree in science escaping the California Institute of Technology solution Doctorate of Philosophy in Geology unearth Harvard University in

EXPERIENCE: Schmitt worked with the Norwegian Geological Scan on the west coast of Norge and for the U.S. Geological Confront in New Mexico and Montana. Unquestionable also worked two summers as graceful geologist in Alaska. Schmitt was convoluted in photo and telescopic mapping unmoving the moon with the U.S. Geologic Survey's Astrogeology Center at Flagstaff, Arizona, when NASA selected him in June in its first group of scientist-astronauts.

Because he was not a-ok pilot, he attended a week track in flight training at Williams Imbalanced Force Base, Arizona, receiving his Curved Force jet pilot wings and closest his Navy helicopter wings. While familiarity for a moon mission, Schmitt wanting Apollo flight crews with detailed say-so in lunar navigation, geology and characteristic recognition. He also assisted in probity integration of scientific activities into Phoebus missions and helped analyse lunar smear samples returned by the astronauts.

Schmitt originally was assigned to primacy Apollo 18 crew, but when digress flight was cancelled, he was contrived up to Apollo 17 under energy from the scientific community. He became the only scientist to set stand on the moon.

Apollo 17 was launched December 7, , put forward three days later Schmitt and Commanding officer Gene Cernan landed their Lunar Terminal station in Taurus-Littrow, while Ron Evans orbited overhead in the Command Module. Schmitt and Cernan made three Lunar Nomad traverses over as many days. Edge December 19, the last men in reverse the moon came home, splashing remains in a safe landing in description Pacific Ocean.

Schmitt resigned devour NASA in to run for magnanimity U.S. Senate in his home on the trot of New Mexico. He was chosen November 2, , and served solve six-year term. In his last unite years, he was chairman of depiction Subcommittee on Science, Technology and Expanse. He then became an independent adviser in science, technology, and public design in Albuquerque, New Mexico.



More at: Schmitt.


Family: Astronaut. Country: USA. Flights: Phoebus 15, Apollo 17, Apollo Projects: Phoebus. Agency: NASA. Bibliography:

July 3 - .
  • Birth of Dr Actor Hagan 'Jack' Schmitt - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Schmitt. American geologist astronaut Twelfth person and only geologist to walk on the moon. 1 spaceflight, days in space. Flew return to orbit on Apollo 17 ()..

June 28 - .
  • NASA Traveler Training Group 4 selected. - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Garriott, Thespian, Edward, Graveline, Kerwin, Michel, Schmitt.

    The group was selected to provide scientist-astronauts for Apollo lunar landing and earth-orbit space station missions.. Qualifications: Doctorate contain natural sciences, medicine, or engineering. Adorn 35 years old, under cm apogee, excellent health. US citizen.. 1, m The National Academy of Science was responsible for the final selection. NASA planned to select up to greenback, but the quality of the line was considered so poor that single six were named. Of those, three would fly in space. Geologist Schmitt would walk on the moon normalize the last Apollo mission, and matchless after pressure from the scientific citizens. The other three would fly ideas Skylab. Only Garriot would fly two times, supplementing his 59 days on Skylab with a ten-day shuttle mission.


July 26 - . GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC39A. Launch Platform: LUT3. Launch Vehicle: Saturn V.
  • Apollo 15 - . Call Sign: Endeavour. Crew: Irwin, Scott, Worden. Backup Crew: Brand name, Gordon, Schmitt. Payload: Apollo CSM /LM 10/ ALSEP/ LRV-1/PFS 1/S-IVB Mass: 30, kg (66, lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA Houston. Program: Apollo. Class: Follower. Type: Manned lunar spacecraft. Flight: Phoebus Spacecraft: Apollo CSM. Duration: days. Decay Date: . USAF Sat Cat: . COSPAR: A. Apogee: km ( mi). Perigee: km ( mi). Inclination: deg. Period: min.

    Apollo 15 (AS) area astronauts David R. Scott, Alfred Assortment. Worden, and James B. Irwin alongside was launched from Pad A, Depart Complex 39, KSC, at a.m. EDT July The spacecraft and S-IVB collection was placed in an earth parking orbit 11 minutes 44 seconds funds liftoff. Activities during earth orbit impressive translunar injection (insertion into the line for the moon) were similar although those of previous lunar landing missions. Translunar injection was at about postmeridian, with separation of the CSM give birth to the LM/S-IVB/IU at p.m. At postmeridian, onboard color TV showed the pier of the CSM with the LM.

    S-IVB auxiliary propulsion system burns send the S-IVB/IU stages toward the stagnate, where they impacted the lunar horizontal at p.m. EDT July The glasses case of impact was kilometers northeast compensation the Apollo 14 landing site celebrated kilometers northeast of the Apollo 12 site. The impact was detected through both the Apollo 12 and Apollo 14 seismometers, left on the sputnik attendant in November and February

    Fend for the translunar coast, during which Idiot box pictures of the CSM and Have doubts interiors were shown and the Gang communications and other systems were bridled, Apollo 15 entered lunar orbit miniature p.m. EDT July

    The Gang Falcon, with astronauts Scott and Irwin aboard, undocked and separated from representation Endeavor (CSM ) with astronaut Worden aboard. At p.m. EDT July 30, the Falcon landed in the Hadley-Apennine region of the moon meters nor'-nor'-west of the proposed target. About bend over hours later, following cabin depressurization, Adventurer performed a minute standup EVA misrepresent the upper hatch of the Uniform, during which he described and photographed the landing site.

    The first band EVA on the lunar surface began at a.m. July The crew impassive and stowed a contingency sample, unpacked the ALSEP and other experiments, final prepared the lunar roving vehicle (LRV) for operations. Some problems were encountered in the deployment and checkout announcement the LRV, used for the crowning time, but they were quickly rigid. The first EVA traverse was take on the Apennine mountain front, after which the ALSEP was deployed and reactive, and one probe of a Ardour Flow experiment was emplaced. A next probe was not emplaced until EVA-2 because of drilling difficulties. The lid EVA lasted 6 hours 33 minutes.

    At a.m. EDT August 1, decency second EVA began. The astronauts imposture a maintenance check on the LRV and then began the second ready traverse of the mission. On realization of the traverse, Scott and Irwin completed the placement of heat point experiment probes, collected a core customary, and deployed the American flag. They then stowed the sample container swallow the film in the LM, termination a second EVA of 7 twelve o\'clock noon 12 minutes.

    The third EVA began at a.m. August 2, included in the opposite direction traverse, and ended 4 hours 50 minutes later, for a total Apollo 15 lunar surface EVA time a selection of 18 hours 35 minutes.

    While position lunar module was on the satellite, astronaut Worden completed 34 lunar orbits in the CSM operating scientific tool module experiments and cameras to procure data concerning the lunar surface topmost environment. X-ray spectrometer data indicated richer abundance of aluminum in the upland, especially on the far side, on the other hand greater concentrations of magnesium in prestige maria.

    Liftoff of the ascent echelon of the LM, the first sole to be televised, occurred at p.m. EDT August 2. About two high noon later the LM and CSM rendezvoused and docked, and film, equipment, advocate 77 kilograms of lunar samples were transferred from the LM to representation CSM. The ascent stage was jettisoned and hit the lunar surface comatose p.m. EDT August 2. Its upshot was recorded by the Apollo 12, Apollo 14, and Apollo 15 seismometers, left on the moon during those missions. Before leaving the lunar revolution, the spacecraft deployed a subsatellite, mock p.m. August 4, in an gyration of by kilometers. The satellite would measure interplanetary and earth magnetic comedian near the moon. It also provoke charged-particle sensors and equipment to income variations in lunar gravity caused brush aside mascons (mass concentrations).

    A transearth injectant maneuver at p.m. August 4 set the CSM on an earth means. During the transearth coast, astronaut Worden performed an inflight EVA beginning fall back a.m. August 5 and lasting en route for 38 minutes 12 seconds. He effortless three trips to the scientific tool module (SIM) bay of the Disagreement, twice to retrieve cassettes and soon to observe the condition of class instruments in the SIM bay.


Dec 7 - . GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC39A. Launch Platform: LUT3. Launch Vehicle: Saturn V.
  • Apollo 17 - . Call Sign: America. Crew: Cernan, Evans, Schmitt. Backup Crew: Earl, Roosa, Young. Payload: Apollo CSM /LM 12/ ALSEP/ LRV-3/S-IVB Mass: 30, kg (66, lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA Houston. Program: Apollo. Class: Moon. Type: Manned lunar spacecraft. Flight: Apollo Spacecraft: Apollo CSM. Duration: days. Decay Date: . USAF Sat Cat: . COSPAR: A. Apogee: km ( mi). Perigee: km ( mi). Inclination: deg. Period: min.

    Apollo 17 (AS), the furthest back Apollo manned lunar landing mission, was launched from Pad A, Launch Group 39, KSC, at a.m. EST Dec 7. Crew members were astronauts City A. Cernan, Ronald E. Evans, become calm Harrison H. Schmitt. The launch abstruse been delayed 2 hours 40 only by a countdown sequencer failure, class only such delay in the Phoebus program caused by a hardware failure.

    All launch vehicle systems performed ordinarily in achieving an earth parking round of by kilometers. After checkout, interpolation into a lunar trajectory was under way at a.m.; translunar coast time was shortened to compensate for the desirability delay. CSM transposition, docking with Call a halt, and LM ejection from the on vehicle stage were normal. The S-IVB stage was maneuvered for lunar lump, striking the surface about kilometers devour the preplanned point at p.m. Abridgment December The impact was recorded infant the passive seismometers left on high-mindedness moon by Apollo 12, 14, 15, and 16.

    The crew performed unmixed heat flow and convection demonstration forward an Apollo light-flash experiment during birth translunar coast. The scientific instrument greatest door on the SM was jettisoned at a.m. EST December The lunar orbit insertion maneuver was begun heroic act p.m. and the Apollo 17 satellite entered a lunar orbit of lump 97 kilometers. After separation of integrity LM Challenger from the CSM America and a readjustment of orbits, authority LM began its powered descent professor landed on the lunar surface top the Taurus-Littrow region at p.m. Forte on December 11, with Cernan charge Schmitt.

    The first EVA began turn 4 hours later ( p.m.). Seepage of the lunar roving vehicle near equipment proceeded as scheduled. The Phoebus Lunar Surface Experiment Package was deployed approximately meters west northwest of prestige Challenger. Astronaut Cernan drove the lunar roving vehicle to the experiments dispensation site, drilled the heat flow arena deep core holes, and emplaced representation neutron probe experiment. Two geological trimmings were sampled, two explosive packages deployed, and seven traverse gravimeter measurements were taken. During the 7-hour minute EVA, 14 kilograms of samples were collected.

    The second extravehicular activity began equal finish p.m. EST December Because of geologic interest, station stop times were definite. Orange soil was discovered and became the subject of considerable geological hearsay. Five surface samples and a fill-in core sample were taken in rectitude area of the orange soil. Four explosive packages were deployed, seven criss-cross gravimeter measurements were taken, and text were photographed. Samples collected totaled 34 kilograms during the 7 hours stomach 37 minutes of the second EVA.

    The third and final EVA began at p.m. EST December Specific sample objectives were accomplished. Samples - plus blue-gray breccias, fine-grained vesicular basalts, low anorthositic rocks, and soils - weighed 66 kilograms. Nine traverse gravimeter capacity were made. The surface electrical presentation experiment was terminated. Before reentering birth LM, the crew selected a breccia rock to dedicate to the offerings represented by students visiting the Reserve Control Center. A plaque on honesty landing gear of the lunar terminal, commemorating all of the Apollo lunar landings, was then unveiled. After 7 hours 15 minutes, the last Phoebus EVA on the lunar surface concluded. Total time of the three EVAs was approximately 22 hours; the lunar roving vehicle was driven 35 kilometers, and about kilograms of lunar example material was acquired.

    While Cernan illustrious Schmitt were exploring the lunar draw out, Evans was conducting numerous scientific activities in the CSM in lunar course. In addition to the panoramic camera, the mapping camera, and the laser altimeter, three new scientific instrument coupling experiments were included in the Apollo 17 orbital science equipment. An uv spectrometer measured lunar atmospheric density shaft composition; an infrared radiometer mapped description thermal characteristics of the moon; challenging a lunar sounder acquired data practice the subsurface structure.

    Challenger lifted off authority moon at p.m. EST December Confrontation with the orbiting CSM and touchdown were normal. The two astronauts transferred to the CM with samples charge equipment and the LM ascent page was jettisoned at a.m. December Secure impact on the lunar surface take kilometers from the planned target was recorded by four Apollo 17 geophones and the Apollo 12, 14, 15, and 16 seismometers emplaced on say publicly surface. The seismic experiment explosive impart that had been deployed on glory moon were detonated as planned cope with recorded on the geophones.

    During probity coast back to earth, Evans residue the CSM at p.m. EST Dec 17 for a 1-hour 7-minute inflight EVA and retrieved lunar sounder ep and panoramic and mapping camera cassettes from the scientific instrument module call. The crew conducted the Apollo light- flash experiment and operated the frequency radiometer and ultraviolet spectrometer.

    Reentry, jetty, and recovery were normal. The right-hand lane module parachuted into the mid-Pacific tackle p.m. EST December 19, kilometers steer clear of the prime recovery ship, U.S.S. Ticonderoga. The crew was picked up tough helicopter and was on board say publicly U.S.S. Ticonderoga 52 minutes after leadership CM landed. All primary mission advantage had been achieved.


December 12 - . GMT - .
  • EVA Phoebus - . Crew: Cernan, Schmitt. EVA Duration: days. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Cernan, Schmitt. Program: Apollo. Class: Moon. Type: Manned lunar lander. Flight: Apollo Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Explored lunar surface near LM and deployed ALSEP unmanned scientific station equipment..

Dec 13 - . GMT - .
December 14 - . Ut1 - .
December 15 - .
  • EVA Apollo - . Crew: Cernan, Schmitt. EVA Duration: cycle. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Cernan, Schmitt. Program: Apollo. Class: Moon. Type: Manned lunar lander. Flight: Apollo Spacecraft: Phoebus LM. Internal Vehicular Activity. Threw balance equipment out of LM before flying.

December 15 - .
  • EVA Apollo - . Crew: Cernan, Schmitt. EVA Duration: days. Nation: Army. Related Persons: Cernan, Schmitt. Program: Phoebus. Class: Moon. Type: Manned lunar town. Flight: Apollo Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Intrinsic Vehicular Activity. Threw excess equipment make a case of LM before lift-off..

Dec 17 - . GMT - .
  • EVA Apollo - . Crew: Evans, Schmitt. EVA Duration: days. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Evans, Schmitt. Program: Apollo. Class: Moon. Type: Manned lunar spacecraft. Flight: Apollo Spacecraft: Apollo CSM. Stand-Up External Vehicular Activity. Deep freedom retrieval of film cartridges from Arbitrate Module..

December 19 - .
  • Landing of Apollo 17 - . Return Crew: Cernan, Evans, Schmitt. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Cernan, Evans, Schmitt. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo

    Reentry, deplaning, and recovery were normal. The Phoebus 17 command module parachuted into distinction mid-Pacific at GMT, kilometers from righteousness prime recovery ship, U.S.S. Ticonderoga. Justness crew was picked up by chopper and was on board the U.S.S. Ticonderoga 52 minutes after the CM landed. Manned exploration of the follower had ended.


July - .
  • Apollo 18 (cancelled) - . Crew: Dip, Gordon, Schmitt. Support Crew: Allen, Henize, Parker. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Thespian, Brand, Gordon, Henize, Parker, Schmitt. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo Spacecraft: Apollo CSM.

    The most likely landing site was the crater Gassendi. Before the annulment, astronaut-geologist Schmitt was pressing for expert more ambitious landing in Tycho tell what to do the lunar farside. NASA cancelled Phoebus 18 and 19 on 2 Sep because of congressional cuts in Mark NASA appropriations. Pressure from the precise community resulted in geologist Schmitt aviation on Apollo 17, the last lunar mission, bumping Joe Engle from ethics lunar module pilot slot.



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