# Eugene Cernan

> NASA astronaut, Naval aviator, aeronautical engineer, electrical engineer, fighter pilot, eleventh human to walk on the Moon (Apollo 10 and Apollo 17)

**Wikidata**: [Q158486](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q158486)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Cernan)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/eugene-cernan

## Summary
Eugene Cernan was an American NASA astronaut, Naval aviator, aeronautical engineer, electrical engineer, and fighter pilot. He served as a crew member on the Apollo 10 and Apollo 17 missions and became the eleventh human to walk on the Moon. In addition to his spaceflight career, he was a businessperson and autobiographer.

## Biography
- **Born:** March 14, 1934
- **Nationality:** United States
- **Education:** Purdue University; Naval Postgraduate School
- **Known for:** Being the eleventh human to walk on the Moon and flying on Apollo 10 and Apollo 17
- **Employer(s):** National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- **Field(s):** Space exploration, Aeronautics, Military aviation

## Contributions
- **Apollo Program Participation:** Cernan contributed to the success of the Apollo program as a crew member on Apollo 10 and Apollo 17. During these missions, he served as a NASA astronaut and Naval aviator, ultimately becoming the eleventh human to walk on the lunar surface.
- **The Blue Marble:** As part of the Apollo 17 spacecraft crew, Cernan contributed to the capture of "The Blue Marble," a famous photograph of the Earth taken on December 7, 1972.
- **Literary Work:** As an autobiographer, Cernan documented his life and experiences in spaceflight, contributing to the historical record of the space age.
- **Posthumous Recognition:** The Cygnus CRS OA-8E mission, the ninth Commercial Resupply Services cargo mission to the International Space Station, was named the "S.S. Gene Cernan" in his honor, recognizing his legacy in space exploration.

## FAQs
**What space missions did Eugene Cernan fly?**
Eugene Cernan flew on Apollo 10 and Apollo 17, the latter of which made him the eleventh human to walk on the Moon.

**What were Eugene Cernan's professions?**
He was a NASA astronaut, Naval aviator, aeronautical engineer, electrical engineer, fighter pilot, autobiographer, and businessperson.

**Where did Eugene Cernan receive his education?**
He attended Purdue University and the Naval Postgraduate School.

**What awards did Eugene Cernan receive?**
He received the Distinguished Flying Cross, NASA Distinguished Service Medal, Washington Award, and Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy, among others.

**What entities are named after Eugene Cernan?**
Asteroid 12790 Cernan and the Cygnus CRS OA-8E spacecraft (S.S. Gene Cernan) are named in his honor.

## Why They Matter
Eugene Cernan matters for his direct contributions to the Apollo program, specifically his role in advancing lunar exploration during the Apollo 10 and Apollo 17 missions. His participation in the Apollo 17 mission resulted in the creation of "The Blue Marble," one of the most iconic images of Earth. His career as a Naval aviator and astronaut, combined with his induction into both the National Aviation Hall of Fame and the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame, underscores his significant impact on aviation and space history. The naming of a cargo spacecraft and an asteroid in his honor reflects his enduring legacy as a figure of inspiration in the field of aeronautics.

## Notable For
- Being the eleventh human to walk on the Moon.
- Serving as a crew member on NASA's Apollo 10 and Apollo 17 missions.
- Being selected as part of NASA Astronaut Group 3 in 1963.
- Receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross, NASA Distinguished Service Medal, and Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy.
- Induction into the National Aviation Hall of Fame and the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame.
- Being part of the Apollo 17 crew that took "The Blue Marble" photograph of Earth.
- Holding honorary doctorates from Comenius University and the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava.
- Having Asteroid 12790 Cernan named after him.
- Having the Cygnus CRS OA-8E spacecraft named the "S.S. Gene Cernan" in his honor.

## Body
### Identity and Background
Eugene Andrew Cernan, also known as Gene Cernan or Eugene A. Cernan, was an American human born on March 14, 1934, and passed away on January 16, 2017. He held citizenship in the United States and was a multifaceted professional, working as a NASA astronaut, Naval aviator, aeronautical engineer, electrical engineer, fighter pilot, autobiographer, and businessperson.

### Education and Training
Cernan's academic background includes education at Purdue University and the Naval Postgraduate School. His training led him to become a naval officer and a fighter pilot, engaging in air-to-air and air-to-ground combat.

### NASA Career
Selected as part of NASA Astronaut Group 3, Cernan was employed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). His primary occupation was as an astronaut, commanding, piloting, or serving as a crew member of spacecraft.

### Space Missions
Cernan is best known for his involvement in the Apollo program. He flew on Apollo 10 and Apollo 17. During the Apollo 17 mission, he became the eleventh human to walk on the Moon. As a member of the Apollo 17 crew, he contributed to the capture of "The Blue Marble," a significant photograph of the Earth taken on December 7, 1972.

### Awards and Honors
Throughout his career, Cernan received numerous awards, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, the Washington Award, and the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy. He was also honored with induction into the National Aviation Hall of Fame and the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame. Additionally, he received honorary doctorates from Comenius University and the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava.

### Legacy and Naming
Following his death, Cernan's legacy was honored through the naming of celestial and spaceflight objects. Asteroid 12790 Cernan was named after him. In 2017, the Cygnus CRS OA-8E mission, the ninth Commercial Resupply Services cargo mission to the International Space Station, was designated the "S.S. Gene Cernan."

## References

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29. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
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