Stargazing Guy

Follow for a weekly list of forthcoming astronaut* birthdays.

Maybe you share a birthday?!

If not, perhaps it will be you who adds your name to the list?!

If you do share a birthday, what does it mean to you?

Do you feel a connection, pride? They take to the skies (on controlled explosions) to improve the world, to explore (to travel to strange new worlds).

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16 October 1956 James Newman (NASA) Micronesia.

17 October 1933 William Anders (NASA) Hong Kong. In December 1968, as a crew member of Apollo 8, Anders was one of the first three people to leave low Earth orbit and travel to the Moon. Along with fellow astronauts Frank Borman and Jim Lovell, Anders circled the Moon ten times, and during one of the mission’s lunar orbits he photographed the iconic image, Earthrise.

Credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NASA-Apollo8-Dec24-Earthrise.jpg

17 October 1956 Mae Jemison (NASA) US. Jemison became the first black woman to travel into space when she served as a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. She was selected to serve for the STS-47 mission, during which she orbited the Earth for nearly eight days on 12-20 September 1992.

“Mae C Jemison: Pioneering spirit. Born on October 17, 1956, Mae Jemison was destined for greatness. She studied Chemical Engineering, African Studies, and Dance – a true Renaissance woman. In 1987, Mae Jemison was selected as the first Black woman astronaut by NASA. She underwent rigorous training, defying odds and breaking barriers. She conducted experiments in microgravity, advancing our understanding of science. Mae’s mission inspired a generation, showing that dreams know no bounds. Her legacy continues to inspire us to reach for the stars.”

Credit: We Are Space Hero

In 1993, Jemison became the first actual astronaut to appear on Star Trek. LeVar Burton, who played Geordi La Forge on Star Trek: The Next Generation, learned that Jemison was a Star Trek fan and asked if she would like to be on the show. She ultimately played Lieutenant Palmer in the episode “Second Chances,” which was the 150th episode of the series.

If you are thinking these comments have been more detailed than the usual ‘brief’ intro to the astronaut – you are right. I am a bit of a fan boy!

Read more about her talents, skills, attitude, life in this article that appeared in Futurism.com in 2015 – you’ll be a fan, too!

Credit: dr._mae_c._jemison_first_african-american_woman_in_space_-_flickr_-_nasa_on_the_commons.jpg

20 October 1963 Julie Payette (CSA) Canada. Payette is the first Canadian astronaut to board the International Space Station, which she went to twice (1999, 2009).

21 October 1950 Ronald McNair (NASA) US. McNair flew as a mission specialist on STS-41-B aboard Challenger from 3-11 February 1984, becoming the second African American and the first Baháʼí to fly in space. He died at the age of 35 during the launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger on mission STS-51-L on 28 January 1986.

21 October 1966 Douglas G. Hurley (NASA) US.

22 October 1933 Donald H. Peterson (NASA) US. On the maiden voyage of the Space Shuttle Challenger (STS-6, 4 – 9 April 1983), Peterson (along with Story Musgrave) became the first astronauts to to wear Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuits and exit a space shuttle through its airlock for an extravehicular activity (EVA), or spacewalk.

Thanks to www.supercluster.com for the bios and links.

Also, thanks to www.pillownaut.com for the list of birthdays.      

* = includes cosmonaut, taikonaut, parastronaut, spaceflight participant, space tourist, etc

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PS: I love coffee. BuyMeACoffee, leave a message with a date and time and we can share it, remotely, at the same time, and think about the Cosmos.

In the meantime, take care of yourself and if you can, someone else, too, because as Adam Smith said, “we naturally desire not only to be loved but to be lovely”.

Remember, hope lives here.

Contact Stargazing Guy for any copyright-related requests or queries @ stargazer1@stargazingguy.co.uk