Harrison Schmitt, the twelfth person to walk on the lunar surface, remains the only professional scientist to have conducted geological field research during an Apollo mission. As a crew member of the Apollo 17 flight in December 1972, he occupied the role of Lunar Module Pilot, representing the first scientist-astronaut group to transition from technical training to active space flight.
Academic and Scientific Foundation
Born in 1935 in Santa Rita, New Mexico, Schmitt pursued extensive academic training in geology. After graduating from the California Institute of Technology in 1957, he spent time at the University of Oslo as a Fulbright Scholar. In 1964, he completed his Doctor of Philosophy in geology at Harvard University. Prior to joining NASA in 1965, he worked at the Astrogeology Center of the U.S. Geological Survey in Flagstaff, Arizona, where he developed techniques for geological field work that later assisted Apollo crews.
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Schmitt joined the Apollo 17 mission following the cancellation of the Apollo 18 and 19 flights. While on the lunar surface with commander Gene Cernan, he collected rock samples, including Troctolite 76535, a specimen providing evidence of an early active magnetic field on the Moon. He also contributed to the organization of NASA's Energy Program Office and participated in the evaluation of returned mission samples. His later work includes the Interlune-Intermars Business Initiative, which focuses on the acquisition of lunar resources.
Legislative Career
In August 1975, Schmitt resigned from NASA to enter politics. He campaigned for a seat in the United States Senate representing New Mexico. Successful in the 1976 election, he defeated Joseph Montoya to serve one term from 1977 to 1983. During his tenure, he chaired the Science, Technology, and Space Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Commerce. He did not secure re-election in 1982, losing to Jeff Bingaman, and subsequently transitioned to roles as a consultant and adjunct professor of engineering physics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Fast facts
- Born: 1935, Santa Rita, New Mexico
- Mission: Apollo 17
- Senate Term: 1977-1983
- Educated at: California Institute of Technology, University of Oslo, Harvard University
- Notable work: Interlune-Intermars Business Initiative
- Award: NASA Distinguished Service Medal (1973)
- Award: Eugene Shoemaker Distinguished Scientist Medal (2019)
Questions readers ask
Was Harrison Schmitt a pilot before joining NASA?
No, he was a geologist by profession and is the only person without a background in military aviation to have walked on the Moon.
What is the Interlune-Intermars Business Initiative?
It is a project proposed by Schmitt in 1997 aimed at the private-sector acquisition and use of lunar resources, such as helium-3.
Achievements
- United States Astronaut Hall of Fame
- Notable work: Interlune-Intermars Business Initiative
- Affiliated with University of Wisconsin–Madison and National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Educated at California Institute of Technology, Harvard University and University of Oslo
- Worked as geologist, politician and astronaut
