Charles Duke

Date of Birth: October 3, 1935

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Biography

Charles Moss Duke Jr. is a retired American astronaut, test pilot, and engineer who is most famous for being the lunar module pilot for Apollo 16 in 1972. Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Duke graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1957 and was commissioned into the United States Air Force. He later earned a master’s degree in Aeronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). After completing his education, Duke became a test pilot and entered the space program in 1966 when he was selected as an astronaut by NASA. Duke’s most significant achievement came on April 20, 1972, when he became the tenth and youngest person to walk on the Moon during the Apollo 16 mission. He and his fellow astronaut John Young spent nearly three days on the lunar surface, conducting scientific experiments and collecting samples. Post-NASA, Duke has been involved in various business ventures and motivational speaking.

5 Interesting Facts about Charles Duke

1. Charles Duke served as CAPCOM (Capsule Communicator) for the Apollo 11 mission, the first manned mission to land on the Moon.

2. He left a family photo on the Moon during the Apollo 16 mission, which remains there to this day.

3. Duke is a retired Brigadier General in the United States Air Force.

4. He was awarded the NASA Distinguished Service Medal and the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for his contributions to space exploration.

5. Duke became a born-again Christian after his NASA career and has been active in various Christian organizations.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Charles Duke

1. “The Moon is a very quiet place. It was like being on another planet.”

2. “The experience of walking on the Moon is something that you cannot describe. It’s just beyond imagination.”

3. “I left a picture of my family on the Moon. Now, whenever I look up at the Moon, I think of my family.”

4. “Apollo 16 was a scientific mission, and we had a lot of experiments to conduct. We were like kids in a candy store.”

5. “Faith has been a cornerstone of my life. It provided me the strength to achieve my dreams.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Charles Duke’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million, largely attributed to his post-NASA business ventures and speaking engagements.