January 06

Born in New York in 1799, Smith became a legendary mountain man and trailblazer. He led early expeditions into the Rocky Mountains and opened overland trails to the Pacific. In 1826, he became the first American to cross the Sierra Nevada by land and reach California. Smith mapped unknown regions and documented Indigenous cultures and geography. His journals provided invaluable information for later settlers and explorers. After further expeditions to Utah and Oregon Country, he returned East. His premature death in 1831 cut short a career that helped shape America’s Westward expansion.

Clarence King was born in 1842 in Newport, Rhode Island, and emerged as one of America's foremost geologists during the 19th century. He led geological surveys across the Rocky Mountains, producing influential studies on mineral resources and mountain formation. In 1879, King became the inaugural director of the United States Geological Survey, establishing foundational standards for geological mapping. Beyond his scientific achievements, he was an avid mountaineer and famously climbed the Sierra Nevada peaks, documenting his adventures in vivid prose. King also wrote essays critiquing the cultural and political issues of his time. His dual legacy as a scientist and explorer helped shape America's understanding of its western frontier. He died in 1901, leaving a rich record of exploration and scholarship.

James Blandford Fitzmaurice was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1898. He served in the British Royal Air Force during World War I, where he gained valuable experience as a pilot. In 1928, Fitzmaurice co-piloted the Bremen on the first successful unidirectional east–west transatlantic flight from Europe to North America. His daring feat made headlines around the world and helped advance long-distance aviation. Fitzmaurice later worked as a flight instructor and continued to promote aviation development in Ireland. His achievements inspired future generations of pilots and aerospace enthusiasts. He passed away in Dublin in 1965.

Selected by NASA in 1984, Gardner served as a mission specialist on STS-27 and STS-35. He logged over 200 hours in space, conducting satellite deployments and astronomical observations. Before NASA, he flew F-15 fighter aircraft and served in the U.S. Air Force with distinction. After leaving the astronaut corps, he continued his military career and later contributed to aerospace consulting. Gardner's journeys helped advance human spaceflight and solidified his legacy as an explorer.

Michael Foale became the first dual-national British-American astronaut after joining NASA in 1987. He flew on six space missions, including long-duration stays aboard the Mir space station and the ISS. Foale was aboard Mir during the 1997 collision with a resupply ship, helping manage the emergency. He served as principal investigator for experiments in astrophysics and life sciences in orbit. After retiring from active flight, he led NASA's International Space Station Division. Foale's career has advanced human understanding of long-term space habitation.