July 03

Fritz Kasparek was born in Gosau, Austria, and became famous for his expertise in high-altitude climbing. In the 1930s and 1940s, he completed first ascents of challenging Alpine routes, earning respect among European climbers. He later joined expeditions to the Himalayas, aiming to conquer some of the world’s highest peaks. Kasparek’s fearless style and technical skill won him acclaim, but his career was cut short when he died in a climbing accident. His achievements continue to inspire mountaineers seeking to push the limits of exploration.

Harrison Schmitt was born in 1935 and earned a doctorate in geology before joining NASA as a scientist-astronaut in 1965. He flew on Apollo 17 in December 1972, becoming the only professional geologist to walk on the lunar surface. During his moonwalk, he collected valuable samples that shaped our understanding of lunar geology. After leaving NASA, Schmitt embarked on a political career, serving as a U.S. Senator for New Mexico from 1977 to 1983, where he advocated for science and space exploration. His unique blend of scientific expertise and political service makes him a standout figure in both fields.

Norman E. Thagard is an American naval officer and NASA astronaut. Selected by NASA in 1978, he flew on five space missions between 1983 and 1995. On STS-7, he became the first member of a flight crew supporting the first tracking and data relay satellite. In 1995, he became the first American to live aboard the Russian space station Mir. Thagard accumulated over 140 days in space, conducting scientific experiments. After retiring from NASA, he worked in academia and space-related consulting. He is recognized for fostering cooperation between the U.S. and Russian space programs.