March 01

Born in Sparta, Wisconsin, Slayton served as a U.S. Army Air Corps pilot during World War II and was selected as one of NASA’s original Mercury Seven astronauts in 1959. Although grounded early in his career due to a medical condition, he played a critical role as NASA’s Chief of the Astronaut Office, shaping astronaut training and mission planning. In 1975, Slayton flew on the Apollo–Soyuz Test Project, becoming the oldest person to make his first spaceflight at the time. He retired in 1982 after 23 years with NASA and left a legacy as a pioneer of human space exploration.

Dr. Jerri Nielsen was an American physician born in 1952. She volunteered as the doctor at the Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station in 1998. In 1999, Nielsen discovered a lump and performed self-administered chemotherapy using supplies sent in emergency airdrops. She published her experience in the New England Journal of Medicine, highlighting the challenges of remote medical care. Her actions led to improved health protocols for personnel in isolated environments. Nielsen passed away in 2009, and her story remains an inspiring example of courage under extreme conditions.

Bertrand Piccard (born 1958) is a Swiss psychiatrist, explorer, and pioneering aviator. He is best known for the 1999 Breitling Orbiter 3 mission with Brian Jones, completing the first nonstop balloon flight around the world. Grandson of renowned inventor Auguste Piccard, he grew up fascinated by high-altitude exploration. In 2003, Piccard co-founded the Solar Impulse project to promote clean technologies in aviation. As pilot and chairman, he flew Solar Impulse 2 on the first solar-powered flight around the globe from 2015 to 2016. His achievements earned him honors such as the Explorers Club Medal and UNESCO's Champion of the Earth Award. Piccard actively advocates for sustainable innovation and inspires global audiences through speeches and expeditions.