March 18

Alfred Worden served as the Command Module Pilot on Apollo 15, making him the first person to orbit the Moon alone while his crewmates explored the surface. A former U.S. Air Force test pilot and aeronautical engineer, he tested the first manned maneuvering unit in space. Worden’s scientific experiments and photographs of lunar geology expanded our understanding of the Moon. After retiring from NASA, he lectured on space exploration and wrote an autobiography recounting his lunar mission. His achievements remain a milestone in human spaceflight.

Thomas P. Stafford was a distinguished U.S. Air Force officer and NASA astronaut, flying on Gemini 6A, 9A, and commanding Apollo 10—the "dress rehearsal" for the first Moon landing. As a test pilot, he evaluated cutting-edge aircraft, contributing to military and spaceflight advancements. Stafford later served in NASA’s management, promoting international cooperation in space exploration. His calm leadership and technical expertise earned him numerous awards, including the NASA Distinguished Service Medal. Stafford’s legacy endures in the annals of human spaceflight history.