The selection of Brian O'Leary as a NASA astronaut candidate in 1967 marked a unique moment in space history, as he was the only planetary scientist in the corps during the Apollo era. His focus on Mars research during his time at the University of California, Berkeley, defined his early career trajectory within the American space program.
Academic and NASA Career
After graduating from Belmont High School in 1957, O'Leary earned a B.A. in physics from Williams College, an M.A. in astronomy from Georgetown University, and a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley. His early academic work specialized in the Martian atmosphere and surface features. Selected for NASA Astronaut Group 6, he was intended for potential human Mars missions, though he resigned from the corps in April 1968 before completing training.
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Following his NASA tenure, O'Leary held numerous faculty positions, including appointments at Cornell University, where he studied lunar mascons, and the California Institute of Technology, where he served on the Mariner 10 Venus-Mercury TV Science Team. His academic path also included roles at San Francisco State University, Hampshire College, and Princeton University. During his time at Princeton, he worked on space settlement concepts alongside Gerard K. O'Neill, focusing on utilizing asteroid and Martian moon resources.
Shift toward Unorthodox Science
O'Leary's professional interests transitioned significantly in the late 1980s. Following a 1979 remote viewing experience and a 1982 near-death encounter, he moved away from orthodox scientific pursuits. His later work emphasized the intersection of consciousness and scientific inquiry. In his final years, he relocated to Vilcabamba, Ecuador, where he co-founded the Montesueños Eco-Retreat with his wife, Meredith Miller, to focus on sustainability and new science.
Political and Advocacy Work
Throughout his career, O'Leary participated in various political causes, protesting the Cambodian Campaign in 1970 and advising the presidential campaigns of Morris Udall, Jesse Jackson, Dennis Kucinich, George McGovern, and Walter Mondale. His writing addressed diverse topics ranging from the Space Shuttle and lunar landings to the weaponization of space. He also engaged in international outreach, visiting the Soviet Union to advocate for peaceful space exploration.
Fast facts
- Born: January 27, 1940, Boston, Massachusetts
- Died: July 28, 2011, Vilcabamba, Ecuador
- Education: Ph.D. in astronomy, University of California, Berkeley, 1967
- NASA Group: Astronaut Group 6
- Key Academic Affiliations: Cornell University, Princeton University
- Key Publication: The Making of an Ex-Astronaut, 1970
- Spouse: Meredith Miller
- Primary Fields: Astronomy, planetary science
Questions readers ask
Why did Brian O'Leary resign from NASA?
He resigned from the NASA Astronaut Corps in April 1968 prior to completing the required training program.
What was the focus of O'Leary's later career?
After leaving conventional research in the late 1980s, he focused on the relationship between consciousness and science, as well as space, energy, and cultural topics.
Achievements
- Recorded as astronomer, astronaut and blogger
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