Harrison H. Schmitt

Harrison H. Schmitt, born around July 3, 1935, is an American figure who has made significant contributions as a geologist, astronaut, and politician. He earned his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1964 and subsequently became a project chief for the U.S. Geological Survey. On June 26, 1965, Schmitt was selected as one of six civilian-scientist astronauts by NASA, where he played a crucial role in training other astronauts in geology. His most notable achievement occurred on December 7, 1972, when he served as the pilot of the Apollo 17 lunar module. Four days later, on December 11, 1972, he followed Eugene Cernan to become the twelfth person to walk on the Moon, conducting geological fieldwork during the mission. After retiring from NASA in 1975, Schmitt transitioned into politics. On November 2, 1976, he was elected as a Republican U.S. Senator for New Mexico, serving one term before an unsuccessful bid for re-election in 1982. In his later years, he and his wife, Teresa, reside in New Mexico's Sandia Mountains, where he continues to engage with space projects, contributing his expertise to various foundations and businesses.