posted 05-26-2018 12:45 PM               

Astronaut Alan Bean, Apollo moonwalker-turned-artist, dies at 86

Apollo astronaut Alan Bean, who shared his experiences as the fourth human to walk on the moon through paintings sprinkled with lunar dust, has died at the age of 86.

Bean died on Saturday (May 26) at Houston Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, as confirmed by his wife, Leslie. His death followed his suddenly falling ill while on travel in Fort Wayne, Indiana two weeks ago.

"Alan was the strongest and kindest man I ever knew. He was the love of my life," said Leslie Bean in a statement released by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Saturday. "A native Texan, Alan died peacefully in Houston, surrounded by those who loved him."

posted 05-26-2018 12:45 PM               

Astronauts in space, on Earth mourn loss of Apollo moonwalker Alan Bean

The death of Apollo moonwalker and artist Alan Bean elicited tributes by his fellow astronauts, on and off the planet.

Bean, who died on Saturday (May 26) at age 86, was the fourth NASA astronaut to walk on the moon, the second to command the first U.S. space station, and the only artist to document his firsthand experiences visiting another world.

"We honor and remember a fallen colleague and hero who helped advance the human species out into space," wrote Expedition 54 flight engineer Drew Feustel from on board the International Space Station. "Alan Bean inspired us all to be better, to be humble, and to strive to share the story of exploration and give our lives meaning."

"Rest In Peace Alan. Ad Astra," Feustel said on Twitter.

posted 05-26-2018 12:45 PM               

NASA Administrator Reflects on Legacy Record-Breaking Skylab, Apollo Astronaut

The following is a statement from NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine on the passing of Apollo and Skylab astronaut Alan Bean:

"Alan Bean once said 'I have the nicest life in the world.' It's a comforting sentiment to recall as we mourn his passing.

"As all great explorers are, Alan was a boundary pusher. Rather than accepting the limits of technology, science, and even imagination, he sought to advance those lines -- in all his life's endeavors. Commissioned in the U.S. Navy in 1955, he chose the challenging pursuit of flight training and, after four years as a Naval pilot, decided to challenge himself further by attended the Navy Test Pilot School and becoming a test pilot.

"He joined NASA's astronaut corps in 1963 and, just six years later, was piloting the lunar module for the Apollo 12 mission. During that mission, he walked on the Moon. Yet he pushed farther. In 1973, Alan commanded the Skylab Mission II and broke a world record with a 59-day flight traversing 24.4 million miles. In all, he had a hand in breaking 11 world records in the areas of space and astronautics.

"After logging 1,671 hours and 45 minutes in space, Alan passed the baton to the next generation of astronauts and changed fronts, looking to push the boundaries of his own imagination and ability as an artist. Even in this endeavor, his passion for space exploration dominated, as depicted most powerfully is his work 'Hello Universe.' We will remember him fondly as the great explorer who reached out to embrace the universe."

posted 05-26-2018 02:01 PM               

A class act. The world is less now, without him.