Harrison Schmitt

Harrison Schmitt (born July 3, 1935) is an American geologist, former astronaut, and politician who achieved distinction as the 12th person to walk on the Moon and the only geologist to visit Earth's lunar satellite. Born in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, Schmitt studied geology at Caltech and earned a doctorate in geology from Harvard University, establishing himself as a distinguished scientist before joining NASA's astronaut program. Selected as part of NASA's Scientist Astronaut Group in 1965, Schmitt underwent rigorous astronaut training while maintaining his scientific expertise. During the Apollo 17 mission in December 1972, he served as the Lunar Module Pilot alongside astronaut Eugene Cernan. His geological training made his lunar exploration particularly valuable—he conducted sophisticated geological surveys, collected important rock samples, and conducted scientific experiments that provided crucial data about the Moon's composition and geological history. After leaving NASA, Schmitt transitioned into politics, serving as a U.S. Senator from New Mexico from 1977 to 1983. He has remained active in public life as an author, scientist, and commentator on space exploration and energy policy. Schmitt's unique combination of scientific expertise and space exploration achievement makes him a distinctive figure in both geology and astronautics.