# Edgar Mitchell

> American astronaut (1930-2016)

**Wikidata**: [Q295873](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q295873)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Mitchell)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/edgar-mitchell

## Summary
Edgar Dean Mitchell (1930–2016) was an American astronaut, naval officer, and aeronautical engineer who served as the Lunar Module Pilot on the Apollo 14 mission. He was the sixth person to walk on the Moon and later founded the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS), a non-profit research organization dedicated to the scientific study of consciousness and human potential.

## Biography
- **Full Name**: Edgar Dean Mitchell
- **Also Known As**: Edgar D. Mitchell, Ed Mitchell
- **Born**: September 17, 1930
- **Died**: February 4, 2016
- **Nationality**: United States
- **Education**: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); Carnegie Mellon University; Naval Postgraduate School; United States Naval Academy; U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School
- **Occupations**: Astronaut, military officer, aircraft pilot, airman, businessperson, screenwriter
- **Employer**: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- **Affiliation**: NASA Astronaut Group 5
- **Fields**: Astronautics, aviation, space exploration

## Contributions

Edgar Mitchell served as a NASA astronaut and was a member of the agency's fifth astronaut group. His most prominent role was as Lunar Module Pilot for the Apollo 14 mission, during which he became the sixth human to walk on the lunar surface. This mission contributed directly to the scientific exploration of the Moon and the broader goals of human spaceflight.

Beyond his aerospace career, Mitchell co-founded the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) in 1973 with Paul N. Temple. Headquartered in Petaluma, California, IONS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit research organization that studies consciousness, meditation, healing, and human potential. The organization maintains annual revenues between $4–5 million, employs rigorous scientific methodologies, publishes peer-reviewed research, and has an international presence with materials translated into 10 languages.

## FAQs

**What was Edgar Mitchell's role in the Apollo program?**
Edgar Mitchell served as the Lunar Module Pilot for the Apollo 14 mission. As part of NASA Astronaut Group 5, he was the sixth person to walk on the Moon, contributing to the United States' space exploration efforts.

**What is the Institute of Noetic Sciences and why did Mitchell found it?**
The Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) is a non-profit research organization co-founded by Mitchell and Paul N. Temple in 1973. Inspired by a profound shift in awareness he experienced while viewing Earth from space, Mitchell established IONS to scientifically explore consciousness, human potential, and the intersection of science and spirituality. The organization is headquartered in Petaluma, California.

**What military and educational background did Edgar Mitchell have?**
Mitchell was a naval officer and airman educated at the United States Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, and the Naval Postgraduate School. He also studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Carnegie Mellon University.

**What awards did Edgar Mitchell receive?**
Mitchell received the Presidential Medal of Freedom (the United States' highest civilian award), the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, and was inducted into the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame at Kennedy Space Center.

## Why They Matter

Edgar Mitchell matters for his dual legacy at the intersection of space exploration and consciousness research. As a NASA astronaut who walked on the Moon during the Apollo 14 mission, he contributed directly to one of humanity's defining technological achievements. However, his enduring influence extends further through the founding of the Institute of Noetic Sciences. By applying scientific rigor to the study of consciousness, meditation, and human potential, Mitchell helped bridge the gap between mainstream science and experiential inquiry. His credibility as an astronaut brought significant attention and legitimacy to fields often dismissed by conventional science. IONS continues to publish peer-reviewed research, host educational programs, and maintain a global presence, ensuring that Mitchell's vision of integrating scientific methodology with the exploration of human consciousness remains active decades after its founding.

## Notable For
- Serving as Lunar Module Pilot on the Apollo 14 mission
- Being the sixth person to walk on the Moon
- Membership in NASA Astronaut Group 5
- Co-founding the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) in 1973
- Founding an organization that conducts peer-reviewed research on consciousness and human potential
- Receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom
- Receiving the Navy Distinguished Service Medal
- Receiving the NASA Distinguished Service Medal
- Induction into the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame
- Careers spanning military officer, aircraft pilot, airman, businessperson, and screenwriter
- Education at MIT, Carnegie Mellon University, the United States Naval Academy, the Naval Postgraduate School, and the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School
- Working in the fields of astronautics, aviation, and space exploration

## Body

### Early Life and Identity
Edgar Dean Mitchell was born on September 17, 1930, and died on February 4, 2016. He was a citizen of the United States and was also known by the aliases Edgar D. Mitchell and Ed Mitchell.

### Military Career
Mitchell served as a military officer and airman, holding positions of authority within the armed forces. He was also a qualified aircraft pilot, controlling aircraft in flight as part of his naval and air force duties. His military education was extensive, spanning multiple elite institutions.

### Education
Mitchell's educational background included affiliation with several prestigious academic and military institutions:

- **United States Naval Academy**: A U.S. Navy federal service academy in the Annapolis, Maryland area, founded on October 10, 1845, employing 923 staff.
- **U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School**: The Air Force's advanced flight training school, established in 1944.
- **Naval Postgraduate School**: A military university in Monterey, California, founded in 1909, employing 918 staff.
- **Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)**: A private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, founded on April 10, 1861. MIT is ranked 3rd in the 2024 Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities, has an endowment of $27.37 billion, and maintains an admission rate of 8%.
- **Carnegie Mellon University**: A private research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, founded in 1900, employing 1,440 staff.

### NASA Career and Space Exploration
Mitchell was employed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the American space and aeronautics agency established on July 29, 1958, with headquarters in Washington, D.C. NASA employs between 17,300 and 18,000 people. Mitchell was a member of NASA Astronaut Group 5, the fifth group of astronauts selected by the agency. His work fell within the fields of astronautics (the theory and practice of navigation beyond Earth's atmosphere), aviation, and space exploration (the discovery and exploration of outer space and celestial objects outside Earth).

### Founding of the Institute of Noetic Sciences
In 1973, Mitchell co-founded the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) with Paul N. Temple. IONS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit research organization headquartered in Petaluma, California, at coordinates 38.1753° N, -122.605° W. Registered under EIN 23-7236986, the organization operates within the research industry. IONS explores consciousness, human potential, meditation, healing, and the intersection of science and spirituality through empirical studies and experiential learning. The institute maintains annual revenues between $4–5 million, total assets exceeding $15 million as of 2022, a library of peer-reviewed research publications, and an international presence with Wikipedia pages in 10 languages. Mitchell's inspiration for founding IONS came from a profound shift in awareness he experienced while viewing Earth from space during the Apollo 14 lunar mission.

### Awards and Honors
Mitchell received multiple high-level recognitions:
- **Presidential Medal of Freedom**: The joint-highest civilian award of the United States, bestowed by the President, established in 1963.
- **Navy Distinguished Service Medal**: A military award established on February 4, 1919.
- **NASA Distinguished Service Medal**: A medal awarded by NASA, established on July 29, 1959.
- **United States Astronaut Hall of Fame**: A facility at Kennedy Space Center honoring American astronauts.

### Professional Scope and Occupations
Mitchell's career encompassed a wide range of professional identities. He was recognized as a human, astronaut, military officer, aircraft pilot, airman, businessperson, and screenwriter. His diverse career paths reflected interests in both the physical sciences of space and aviation as well as entrepreneurial and creative endeavors.

## References

1. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
2. [Source](http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-02-05/edgar-mitchell-astronaut-with-epiphany-in-space-dies-at-85)
3. Czech National Authority Database
4. LIBRIS. 2016
5. [Source](https://mit.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=alma990007603010106761&context=L&vid=01MIT_INST:MIT&lang=en&search_scope=all&adaptor=Local%20Search%20Engine&isFrbr=true&tab=all&query=creator,exact,Mitchell%20Edgar%20Dean&sortby=date_d&facet=frbrgroupid,include,9002181294476213894&offset=0)
6. [Source](https://calhoun.nps.edu/handle/10945/41154)
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11. [Source](https://nmspacemuseum.org/inductee/edgar-d-mitchell/)
12. [Source](https://searchpub.nssc.nasa.gov/servlet/sm.web.Fetch/Agency_Awards_Historical_Recipient_List.pdf?rhid=1000&did=2120817&type=released)
13. [Source](https://www.nmspacemuseum.org/inductee/edgar-d-mitchell/)
14. [Space Hall of Fame Inducts Mitchell and Three Others. Roswell Daily Record. 1979](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29991181/the_roswell_daily_record/)
15. Mathematics Genealogy Project
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19. [Source](http://www.spacefacts.de/english/e_first.htm)
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24. [Source](http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/local/apollo-14-astronaut-edgar-mitchell-85-dies-in-west/nqKdg/)
25. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
26. Quora
27. The Movie Database