May 06

Robert Peary was born in Cresson, Pennsylvania in 1856. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1877 and served in the Navy Corps of Engineers. Peary led multiple Arctic expeditions, mapping vast stretches of Greenland. On April 6, 1909, he claimed to have reached the geographic North Pole with Matthew Henson. His methods combined sled dogs, Inuit guides, and innovative navigation techniques. Peary's polar explorations secured his reputation and earned him promotion to rear admiral. He authored books such as "The North Pole" recounting his adventures. Peary passed away in 1920, and his polar achievements remain subjects of historical debate.

Chiaki Mukai (born 1952) is a Japanese physician and JAXA astronaut who became the first Japanese woman to travel to space. She flew aboard Space Shuttle missions STS-65 and STS-95, conducting biomedical experiments in microgravity that advanced understanding of human physiology in space. Mukai holds an MD and a PhD, and her research has focused on cardiovascular and stroke-related conditions. After her flights, she served in leadership roles at the National Space Biomedical Research Institute and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, shaping Japan's space medicine programs. She has received numerous honors, including the Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon from the Japanese government. Mukai continues to advocate for women in STEM and space exploration.