August 24

James Weddell led early 19th-century voyages into the Southern Ocean and pushed farther south than any prior expedition in 1823–1824. He charted the area now known as the Weddell Sea, which bears his name. His detailed observations on sea ice and geography provided valuable data for future polar explorations. Facing extreme cold and dangerous ice fields, he maintained crew morale and safety on challenging journeys. Weddell’s published accounts influenced later Antarctic missions and secured his legacy in maritime history.

Dragutin Lerman joined the Belgian colonial expeditions and traveled extensively through the Congo region in the late 19th century. He documented his journeys in published travel diaries, offering early ethnographic observations of geographic features and local cultures. Lerman’s work contributed to European understanding of Central African river systems and tribal societies. He faced hazards including tropical diseases and difficult terrain but remained committed to scientific exploration. His legacy endures in African studies and the history of European exploration.

Charles Snead Houston (1913-2009) was an American physician renowned for his contributions to high-altitude medicine and Himalayan mountaineering. A graduate of Harvard Medical School, he combined his medical expertise with a passion for climbing. Houston served as the medical officer on several K2 expeditions and led the first American expedition to Mount Everest in 1952. He authored numerous articles on high-altitude physiology and mountain safety. Beyond his expeditions, he advocated for conservation of mountain environments. Houston's blend of scientific rigor and adventurous spirit left a profound mark on both medicine and mountaineering.

J. Gordon Edwards (1919-2004) was an American entomologist whose research focused on insect ecology and high-altitude environments. A passionate mountaineer, he served as the expedition biologist on several Himalayan climbs, studying insect life at extreme elevations. Edwards also became a prominent advocate for the public health use of DDT in combating malaria and other vector-borne diseases. He published numerous scientific papers and articles blending his expertise in entomology, mountaineering, and environmental health. Edwards's career exemplified the intersection of field biology and adventurous exploration.

Gregory Jarvis was an aerospace engineer selected by NASA in 1978 as a payload specialist. Before joining the astronaut corps, he worked on satellite communications at Hughes Aircraft. On January 28, 1986, he flew aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger's STS-51-L mission to deploy communications satellites. Tragically, the shuttle broke apart shortly after launch, and Jarvis, along with six crewmates, lost his life. His dedication to space exploration and engineering excellence are remembered through scholarships and awards established in his honor. Jarvis's story continues to inspire future generations of scientists and astronauts to pursue the challenges of space.

Born in Uzynagash, Kazakhstan, Salizhan Sharipov graduated from the Air Force Academy as a lieutenant pilot. Selected as a cosmonaut in 1992, he first flew to the Mir station in 1999 on Soyuz TM-29. He logged over 365 days in space and performed multiple spacewalks. In 2001, Sharipov flew aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour to deliver equipment to the ISS. He retired from active cosmonaut duty and has since contributed to aerospace training and education.