Origins & Early Life

Harrison Hagan "Jack" Schmitt (born July 3, 1935) is an American geologist, former NASA astronaut, university professor, and former U.S. senator from New Mexico. He is the most recent living person—and only person without a background in military aviation—to have walked on the Moon. In December 1972, as a crewmember of Apollo 17, Schmitt became the first member of NASA's first scientist-astronaut group to fly in space.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

As Apollo 17 was the last of the Apollo missions, he became the twelfth and second-youngest person to walk on the Moon and the second-to-last person to step off the Moon (he boarded the Lunar Module shortly before commander Eugene Cernan). Schmitt remains the only professional scientist to have landed on the Moon. Before training for Apollo 17, he was influential in the geology field for supporting the Apollo program and had helped train Apollo astronauts chosen to visit the lunar surface. Schmitt resigned from NASA in August 1975 to run for election to the United States Senate as a member from New Mexico. As the Republican candidate in the 1976 election, he defeated Democratic incumbent Joseph Montoya.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In the 1982 election, Schmitt was defeated by Democrat Jeff Bingaman...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• 14th Dalai Lama — Contemporary (Born in 1935) (1935): Spiritual leader of Tibet and head of Tibetan Buddhism since 1940.
• Abraham Isaac Kook — Contemporary (Died in 1935) (1935): Pioneering Orthodox Rabbi and Father of Religious Zionism.
• Adnan Khashoggi — Contemporary (Born in 1935) (1935): Saudi businessman and arms dealer, known as 'The Great Gatsby of the Middle East'
• Audra McDonald — Shared historical date (07-03 · Born) (1970): Award-winning American actress and singer celebrated for Broadway mastery.
• Delia Derbyshire — Shared historical date (07-03 · Died) (2001): Pioneering composer of electronic music, famed for her work at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop.
• Alain Delon — Historical peer (Born in 1935) (1935): Iconic French actor, producer, and cinematic leading man of the 20th century.
• Alban Berg — Historical peer (Died in 1935) (1935): Key figure of the Second Viennese School, blending Romanticism with twelve-tone technique.
• Abraham Joshua Heschel — Historical peer (Died in 1972) (1972): Leading 20th-century American rabbi, theologian, and philosopher.
• Alessandro Nivola — Historical peer (Born in 1972) (1972): Versatile American actor known for film and stage work, building a notable career.
• 50 Cent — Historical peer (Born in 1975) (1975): Iconic rapper, actor, and entrepreneur known for raw storytelling and business acumen.
• 1935 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1935
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