September 17

Eivind Astrup was born in 1871 and became renowned for his daring expeditions to Greenland and the Arctic. As a key member of Robert Peary's expeditions, he mapped uncharted coastlines and studied indigenous Arctic cultures. Astrup’s detailed reports and photographs provided valuable scientific and geographical insights. He introduced innovative sled-dog techniques that improved travel efficiency in polar regions. Despite his achievements, Astrup’s career was brief; he died at the age of 24 in 1895. His pioneering work laid the foundation for future Arctic exploration.

Sir Francis Chichester was an English pilot turned solo yachtsman. He set records for long-distance flying before turning to sailing in his sixties. In 1966–67, Chichester completed a solo circumnavigation of the globe in his ketch Gipsy Moth IV. His voyage set a world record for the fastest solo circumnavigation at the time. Chichester's adventurous spirit inspired a generation of sailors and explorers.

Edgar Mitchell was an American naval officer, aviator, and NASA astronaut who walked on the Moon during Apollo 14. He served as the lunar module pilot in 1971, spending over nine hours exploring the lunar surface. Mitchell conducted scientific experiments on the Moon and collected rock samples that enriched planetary science. After retiring from NASA, he founded the Institute of Noetic Sciences to study consciousness and human potential. He accumulated over 5,000 flight hours as a pilot and held the rank of captain in the U.S. Navy. His achievements bridged exploration, science, and the study of human awareness.

Thomas P. Stafford is an American Air Force general and NASA astronaut who flew on four space missions. He piloted Gemini 6A and commanded Gemini 9A, demonstrating pioneering rendezvous and docking techniques. Stafford served as the command module pilot for Apollo 10, the final full-dress rehearsal for the Moon landing. In 1975, he commanded the Apollo–Soyuz Test Project, the first joint U.S.-Soviet space mission. He logged over 500 hours in space and advanced international cooperation in human spaceflight. After leaving NASA, Stafford continued to serve in the Air Force, retiring with the rank of four-star general.

Reinhold Messner is an Italian mountaineer and adventurer renowned for his groundbreaking climbs. In 1978, he became the first person to ascend Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen alongside Peter Habeler. He is also the first climber to complete all fourteen 8,000-meter peaks, setting a new standard in alpine-style mountaineering. Messner’s philosophy emphasizes self-reliance, light equipment, and respect for local cultures. He has authored numerous books detailing his expeditions and observations. Beyond climbing, he founded the Messner Mountain Museum to share his experiences with a global audience.

Born in Oslo, Tormod Granheim gained acclaim for completing the first ski descent of Mount Everest’s North Face in 2006. He has led expeditions across Greenland and the polar regions, pushing the boundaries of ski exploration. Granheim combines technical skiing skills with high-altitude mountaineering, often tackling unexplored routes. He founded an adventure company to inspire and train aspiring extreme athletes. His expeditions have been featured in adventure documentaries and recognized by National Geographic.