Date of Birth: March 14, 1934
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Date of Death: January 16, 2017
Biography
Eugene Andrew Cernan, known as Gene Cernan, was an American astronaut, naval aviator, electrical engineer, aeronautical engineer, and fighter pilot. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Cernan graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University in 1956. He later earned a Master’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. Cernan was selected by NASA in 1963 as part of the third group of astronauts. He is most famous for being the eleventh person to walk on the Moon and the last one to leave the lunar surface during the Apollo 17 mission in December 1972. His career as an astronaut also includes two other spaceflights: Gemini 9A in 1966 and Apollo 10 in 1969. After retiring from NASA and the Navy in 1976, Cernan worked in the private sector and became an advocate for space exploration. He authored an autobiography titled “The Last Man on the Moon” and was featured in a documentary film of the same name. Cernan remained active in promoting space exploration until his death in 2017.
5 Interesting Facts about Gene Cernan
1. Gene Cernan was the last human to walk on the Moon, leaving the lunar surface on December 14, 1972.
2. He flew three times in space: Gemini 9A, Apollo 10, and Apollo 17.
3. Cernan logged a total of 566 hours and 15 minutes in space, of which 73 hours were spent on the Moon.
4. He inscribed his daughter’s initials, “TDC” (for Tracy Dawn Cernan), in the lunar dust.
5. Cernan was a decorated naval aviator, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal, among others.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Gene Cernan
1. “Curiosity is the essence of human existence.”
2. “We leave as we came and, God willing, as we shall return, with peace and hope for all mankind.”
3. “I’m one of those guys who doesn’t like to be away from home.”
4. “I think a little bit of Apollo died with it.”
5. “The important achievement of Apollo was demonstrating that humanity is not forever chained to this planet.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Gene Cernan’s highest net worth achieved was estimated to be around $5 million.
Children
Gene Cernan had one daughter, Tracy Dawn Cernan, born on March 4, 1963.
Relevant Links
2. [Gene Cernan on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Cernan
3. [The Last Man on the Moon – Documentary](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3219604/
4. [Gene Cernan’s Space Missions](https://www.space.com/16903-gene-cernan-last-man-moon.html
