Origins & Early Life

Stuart Allen Roosa (August 16, 1933 – December 12, 1994) was an American aeronautical engineer, smokejumper, United States Air Force pilot, test pilot, and NASA astronaut, who was the Command Module Pilot for the Apollo 14 mission. The mission lasted from January 31 to February 9, 1971, and was the third mission to land astronauts (Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell) on the Moon. While Shepard and Mitchell spent two days on the lunar surface, Roosa conducted experiments from orbit in the Command Module Kitty Hawk. He was one of the 24 Apollo astronauts who reached the Moon, which he orbited 34 times.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Roosa was born on August 16, 1933, in Durango, Colorado, to parents Dewey Roosa (1896–1990) and Lorine Roosa (née DeLozier) (1904–1992) and grew up in Claremore, Oklahoma. He attended Justus Tiawah Grade School and Claremore High School in Claremore, Oklahoma, from which he graduated in 1951. Thereafter, he studied at Oklahoma State University and the University of Arizona, before graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering with honors from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1960. Roosa...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• 13th Dalai Lama — Contemporary (Died in 1933) (1933): Spiritual leader of Tibet who championed national independence and modernization.
• Adolph Caesar — Contemporary (Born in 1933) (1933): Acclaimed American actor known for his deep voice and Off-Broadway staple status.
• Akihito — Contemporary (Born in 1933) (1933): 125th Emperor of Japan; reigned during the Heisei era (1989-2019).
• Ahmed Ali (writer) — Contemporary (Died in 1994) (1994): Pioneering Urdu writer, poet, and diplomat from British India to Pakistan.
• Alexia Putellas — Contemporary (Born in 1994) (1994): One of the greatest female footballers, known for her midfield brilliance and success with Barcelona and Spain.
• Amazon (company) — Contemporary (Born in 1994) (1994): Global e-commerce and technology giant, expanding from books to 'The Everything Store'.
• Alfredo Stroessner — Shared historical date (08-16 · Died) (2006): Paraguayan military dictator who ruled from 1954 to 1989, known for repression.
• Andrei Mironov (actor) — Shared historical date (08-16 · Died) (1987): Iconic Soviet stage and film actor, celebrated for roles in popular Russian cinema.
• Alexander I of Russia — Shared historical date (12-12 · Born) (1777): Emperor of Russia during the Napoleonic era, known for liberal reforms and military campaigns.
• Anne Baxter — Shared historical date (12-12 · Died) (1985): Acclaimed American actress known for her work in Hollywood and on Broadway.
• 1933 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1933
• August 16 (08-16) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on August 16
• 1994 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1994
• December 12 (12-12) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on December 12