Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s lunar mission, Chandrayaan-3, has become the first mission to accomplish a soft landing in the southern polar region of the Moon.
There have many firsts to reach the moon’s surface and one such person who achieve this was neither an astronaut nor alive also.
Eugene Merle Shoemaker, born on 28th April, 1928, play a major role in training astronauts and contributing to the scientific field.
In recognition of his exceptional work, he was honour with the National Medal of Science in 1992 by the then-US President George H. W. Bush.
Serving as the first director of the Astrogeology Research Program within the United States Geological Survey, Eugene Merle Shoemaker gain recognition for his investigations into terrestrial craters, including Arizona’s Barringer Meteor Crater.
His notable accomplishments include his collaboration with fellow scientists to find out about an occurrence in Earth’s past, dating back to approximately six and a half million years when a huge 12-kilometre-wide space rock slam into the Earth.
The collision led to the wiping out of dinosaurs and around 80% of all living creatures on the planet.
This major event took place in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, which he help to find out.
Eugene Merle Shoemaker observe the Moon from a distance, right here on Earth, but his true dream was to journey into space and set foot on the lunar surface.
Unfortunately, a severe illness crush his hopes of becoming an astronaut.
Tragically, Eugene Merle Shoemaker pass away in a car accident on 18th July, 1997.
After his death, NASA made efforts to partially recognise his aspirations.
Eugene Merle Shoemaker ashes were laid to rest on the Moon, making him the only individual ever to receive such an honour.
