Male Astronauts

Vote for Your Favourite Male Astronauts

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 1 
Neil Armstrong
(The First Person to Walk on the Moon)
Neil Armstrong
50
Birthdate: August 5, 1930
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Wapakoneta, Ohio, United States
Died: August 25, 2012

The first person to walk on the Moon, Neil Armstrong was an astronaut and aeronautical engineer. Prior to his trip to the Moon, he became NASA's first civilian astronaut to fly in space. After resigning from NASA, he taught in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Cincinnati. He was a Presidential Medal of Freedom awardee.

 2 
Buzz Aldrin
(American Astronaut, Fighter Pilot and the Second Person to Set Foot on the Moon)
Buzz Aldrin
36
Birthdate: January 20, 1930
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Glen Ridge, New Jersey, United States
Buzz Aldrin became the second person to set foot on the Moon, as the pilot of NASA’s Apollo 11 mission, 19 minutes after Neil Armstrong stepped on the Moon, on July 21, 1969. Aldrin has also been a U.S. Air Force officer and flew fighter jets in the Korean War.
 3 
John Glenn
(Tthe First American to Orbit the Earth)
John Glenn
28
Birthdate: July 18, 1921
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Cambridge, Ohio, United States
Died: December 8, 2016

The first American to orbit the Earth, John Glenn was an astronaut, aviator, politician, and businessman. Beginning his career as an army man, he was a fighter pilot in World War II. He later joined NASA and was one of the Mercury Seven. Following his retirement from NASA, he became a politician and served in the US Senate.

 4 
Yuri Gagarin
(Soviet Pilot and Cosmonaut Who Became the First Man to Travel into Outer Space)
Yuri Gagarin
18
Birthdate: March 9, 1934
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Klushino, Russia
Died: March 27, 1968
Yuri Gagarin was the first man to travel into outer space when he completed an orbit of the Earth aboard the Vostok 1 in 1961. Following this, he became a national hero in Russia. He had previously served as an Air Forces pilot. He tragically died in a MiG-15 crash.
 5 
Jim Lovell
(One of the First Three Astronauts to Fly to and Orbit the Moon)
Jim Lovell
12
Birthdate: March 25, 1928
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Retired American astronaut Jim Lovell commanded the iconic Apollo 13 mission and was one of the first three human beings to fly to the Moon, orbit it, and get back to Earth. He had also been a US Navy captain. Following his retirement, Lovell launched a restaurant in Lake Forest.

 6 
Michael Collins
(NASA Astronaut, Command Module Pilot for Apollo 11 (the spaceflight that landed the first humans on the Moon))
Michael Collins
10
Birthdate: October 31, 1930
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Rome, Kingdom of Italy
Died: April 28, 2021

Michael Collins is an American astronaut who became the fourth person to perform a spacewalk. He is also the second person to orbit the Moon alone. Collins is best known for flying the Apollo 11 command module Columbia while Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong landed on the Moon. In 1969, Michael Collins was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

 7 
Jonny Kim
(US Navy lieutenant and NASA astronaut.)
Jonny Kim
14
Birthdate: February 5, 1984
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
 8 
Chris Hadfield
(Canadian Astronaut Who Became the First Canadian in History to Walk in Space)
Chris Hadfield
8
Birthdate: August 29, 1959
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Sarnia, Ontario, Canada

Chris Hadfield is a Canadian former astronaut, engineer, and singer. Hadfield, who has served in the International Space Station as a commander, is credited with flying two Space Shuttle missions. He is also the first Canadian to successfully carry out an extravehicular activity in space. Before becoming an astronaut, he served as an Air Command fighter pilot for 25 years.

 9 
Scott Kelly
(American Engineer, Retired Naval Aviator, and Astronaut)
Scott Kelly
16
Birthdate: February 21, 1964
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: City of Orange, New Jersey, United States

Scott Kelly is an American engineer, retired naval aviator, and astronaut. He is credited with commanding the International Space Station on three Expeditions. Scott Kelly is the recipient of several awards and honors, such as the NASA Distinguished Service Medal and National Defense Service Medal.

 10 
Gordon Cooper
(Officer, Astronaut, Test pilot, Aerospace engineer, Engineer, Aviator)
Gordon Cooper
12
Birthdate: March 6, 1927
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Shawnee
Died: October 4, 2004

Part of the seven Project Mercury astronauts, Gordon Cooper manned a 34-hour space mission, becoming the first American to stay for a day in space. As part of the Gemini 5 mission, he and his co-pilot proved it was possible for astronauts to survive a mission to the Moon and back.

 11 
Jack Swigert
(Astronaut)
Jack Swigert
8
Birthdate: August 30, 1931
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Denver, Colorado
Died: December 27, 1982

Jack Swigert was an American astronaut who flew to the moon and spent nearly six days in space. He was an engineer who also held a masters degree in business administration. He was involved in the infamous Apollo 15 postal covers incident. He ventured into politics with mixed fortunes.  He was elected to the US Congress but died before being sworn in.

 12 
Ronald McNair
(American NASA Astronaut and Physicist)
Ronald McNair
5
Birthdate: October 21, 1950
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Lake City, South Carolina, United States
Died: January 28, 1986

A doctorate in physics from MIT Cambridge, Ronald McNair worked on chemical lasers before joining NASA and in 1984 flew as a mission specialist on STS-41-B aboard Challenger, becoming the second African-American to do so. In January 1986, he was selected to fly on STS-51-L, but was killed along with rest of the crews when Challenger disintegrated soon after liftoff.

 13 
Deke Slayton
(Astronaut)
Deke Slayton
8
Birthdate: March 1, 1924
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Sparta, Wisconsin, United States
Died: June 13, 1993
 14 
Fred Haise
(American Astronaut Who Became the Sixth Person to Walk on the Moon)
Fred Haise
9
Birthdate: November 14, 1933
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Biloxi, Mississippi, United States

Fred Haise is an American retired engineer, NASA astronaut, and test pilot. He also served as a fighter pilot for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps. He was part of Apollo 13 and is one of 24 astronauts to have flown to the Moon. Fred Haise is the recipient of prestigious awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

 15 
John Young
(American Astronaut and the Ninth Person to Walk on the Moon)
John Young
11
Birthdate: September 24, 1930
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: San Francisco, California, United States
Died: January 5, 2018

John Young was an American naval officer, astronaut, aeronautical engineer, and test pilot. In 1972, he commanded the Apollo 16 mission and became only the ninth person to walk on the Moon. John Young was the recipient of several awards, including the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal. In 1982, he was made an inductee of the International Space Hall of Fame.

 16 
Gus Grissom
(Fighter Pilot, Test Pilot and Astronaut)
Gus Grissom
10
Birthdate: April 3, 1926
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Mitchell, Indiana, United States
Died: January 27, 1967

Gus Grissom was the second U.S. astronaut to fly into space. The Distinguished Flying Cross-winner had fought in World War II and the Korean War before being part of Mercury-Redstone 4 and Project Gemini. He died during a pre-launch test of the Apollo 1 mission, along with two colleagues.

 17 
Pete Conrad
(NASA Astronaut Who Became the Third Person to Walk on the Moon)
Pete Conrad
9
Birthdate: June 2, 1930
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: July 8, 1999

Pete Conrad was an American aeronautical engineer, NASA astronaut, aviator, test pilot, and naval officer. He is credited with commanding the Apollo 12 mission, during which he became only the third person ever to walk on the Moon. Apart from winning awards like the Harmon Trophy, Pete Conrad was also inducted into several Astronaut and Aviation Halls of Fame.

 18 
Scott Carpenter
(American Aviator and Astronaut Who was the Second American to Orbit the Earth)
Scott Carpenter
7
Birthdate: May 1, 1925
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Boulder
Died: October 10, 2013

Scott Carpenter was an American aviator, aeronautical engineer, test pilot, naval officer, aquanaut, and astronaut. He achieved popularity in 1959, when he became one of the seven astronauts chosen for NASA's Project Mercury. Scott Carpenter was the recipient of several prestigious awards, including the NASA Distinguished Service Medal. In 1981, he was inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame.

 19 
Vladimir Komarov
(First Cosmonaut to Fly into Space Twice and the First Human to Die in a Space Flight)
Vladimir Komarov
12
Birthdate: March 16, 1927
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Died: April 24, 1967

Soviet cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov was the first from his country to fly into space twice. He died when his Soyuz 1 capsule crashed while re-entering the Earth, due to a parachute failure, on April 24, 1967, which made him the first human to die in a space flight.

 20 
Ken Mattingly
(American Astronaut and One of the 24 People to Have Flown to the Moon)
Ken Mattingly
3
Birthdate: March 17, 1936
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Ken Mattingly is a retired aviator, test pilot, aeronautical engineer, astronaut, and rear admiral in the US Navy. He was part of Apollo-16 and is one of 24 astronauts to have flown to the Moon. Mattingly is the recipient of numerous awards, including the NASA Distinguished Service Medal. In 1983, he was inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame.

 21 
Wally Schirra
(American Astronaut Who Became the Fifth American and Ninth Human to Travel Into Space)
Wally Schirra
3
Birthdate: March 12, 1923
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Hackensack, New Jersey, United States
Died: May 3, 2007

Wally Schirra was an American NASA astronaut, test pilot, and naval aviator. He achieved popularity in 1959, when he became one of the seven astronauts chosen for Project Mercury. In 1962, he was part of Mercury-Atlas 8 and became only the ninth human to travel into space. Wally Schirra was portrayed by Lance Henriksen in the film, The Right Stuff.

 22 
Frank Borman
(NASA Astronaut Who was the Commander of 'Apollo 8' Mission)
Frank Borman
7
Birthdate: March 14, 1928
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Gary

Frank Borman is an American former US Air Force colonel, test pilot, aeronautical engineer, businessman, and NASA astronaut. The commander of Apollo 8, Borman was the first of 24 astronauts to have flown to the Moon. In 1982, Frank Borman was made an inductee of the International Space Hall of Fame.

 23 
Dick Scobee
(Officer, Astronaut)
Dick Scobee
9
Birthdate: May 19, 1939
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Cle Elum
Died: January 28, 1986
 24 
Ed White
(Engineer)
Ed White
13
Birthdate: November 14, 1930
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: San Antonio, Texas, United States
Died: January 27, 1967
 25 
Harrison Schmitt
(American Astronaut and the Only Person Without a Background in Military Aviation to Have Walked on the Moon)
Harrison Schmitt
7
Birthdate: July 3, 1935
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Santa Rita, New Mexico, United States

Harrison Schmitt is an American geologist, university professor, and former NASA astronaut. He also served as the US Senator from New Mexico from 1977 to 1983. In 1972, Schmitt became a crew member of Apollo 17 and subsequenly the second-youngest person to walk on the Moon. In 1973, Harrison Schmitt was honored with the NASA Distinguished Service Medal.

 26 
Edgar Mitchell
(American Astronaut Who was the Sixth Person to Walk on the Moon)
Edgar Mitchell
3
Birthdate: September 17, 1930
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Hereford, Texas, United States
Died: February 4, 2016

Edgar Mitchell was an American aviator, United States Navy officer, test pilot, NASA astronaut, ufologist, and aeronautical engineer. In 1971, Mitchell became only the sixth person ever to walk on the Moon. Over the course of his illustrious career, Edgar Mitchell was honored with several prestigious awards, such as the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the NASA Distinguished Service Medal.   

 27 
Roger B. Chaffee
(American Aviator, Naval Officer, NASA Astronaut, and Aeronautical Engineer)
Roger B. Chaffee
7
Birthdate: February 15, 1935
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Grand Rapids
Died: January 27, 1967

Roger B. Chaffee was an American aviator, naval officer, NASA astronaut, and aeronautical engineer. In 1963, Chaffee was chosen by NASA to be part of Astronaut Group 3, a group of 14 astronauts selected for the Apollo and Gemini program. In 1983, Roger B. Chaffee was made an inductee of the International Space Hall of Fame. 

 28 
Eugene Cernan
(American Naval Aviator Who Became the Eleventh Human Being to Walk on the Moon)
Eugene Cernan
9
Birthdate: March 14, 1934
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Died: January 16, 2017

Eugene Cernan was an American naval aviator, astronaut, aeronautical engineer, electrical engineer, and fighter pilot. As of 2022, Cernan remains the last man to walk on the Moon, which he did in 1972 as part of the Apollo 17 mission. In 2007, Eugene Cernan was made an inductee of the International Air & Space Hall of Fame.

 29 
Alan Bean
(American Aviator and NASA Astronaut Who was the Fourth Person to Walk on the Moon)
Alan Bean
5
Birthdate: March 15, 1932
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Wheeler, Texas, United States
Died: May 26, 2018

Alan Bean was an American aviator, test pilot, aeronautical engineer, NASA astronaut, US naval officer, and painter. He was part of Astronaut Group 3 and was only the fourth person ever to walk on the Moon. Apart from being honored with prestigious awards, Alan Bean was also made an inductee of several Astronaut and Aviation Halls of Fame.

 30 
Timothy Peake
(British Author, Army Air Corps Officer and European Space Agency Astronaut)
Timothy Peake
7
Birthdate: April 7, 1972
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Chichester, Sussex, England, United Kingdom
 31 
Michael J. Smith
Michael J. Smith
7
Birthdate: April 30, 1945
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Beaufort
Died: January 28, 1986
 32 
Rakesh Sharma
(Astronaut, Military personnel)
Rakesh Sharma
9
Birthdate: January 13, 1949
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Patiala
 33 
Charles Duke
(Former NASA Astronaut Who Became the Youngest Person to Walk on the Moon)
Charles Duke
5
Birthdate: October 3, 1935
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Charlotte

Former NASA astronaut Charles Duke has also been a USAF officer and test pilot. At 36, he became the youngest astronaut to walk on the surface of the Moon. Throughout his illustrious career, he went on 5 Apollo missions. He is also an international public speaker.

 34 
Ellison Onizuka
(Astronaut, engineer, and USAF test pilot from Kealakekua, Hawaii, who successfully flew into space with the Space Shuttle Discovery on STS-51-C)
Ellison Onizuka
9
Birthdate: June 24, 1946
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Kealakekua, Hawaii, United States
Died: January 28, 1986
 35 
Guion Bluford
(Former NASA Astronaut Who Became the 1st African-American to Go into Space)
Guion Bluford
5
Birthdate: November 22, 1942
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Retired US Air Force officer and NASA astronaut Guion Bluford scripted history as the 2nd African-origin person and the 1st African-American to go into space. A trained fighter pilot, he also flew over 100 combat missions in the Vietnam War. The STS-8 Orbiter Challenger crew member later worked in IT and engineering services.

 36 
Rick Husband
(Astronaut)
Rick Husband
3
Birthdate: July 12, 1957
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Amarillo, Texas, United States
Died: February 1, 2003
 37 
Sergei Krikalev
(Russian Retired Cosmonaut: Ranks Third for the Most Time Spent in Space)
Sergei Krikalev
13
Birthdate: August 27, 1958
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Saint Petersburg, Russia

Soviet and Russian mechanical-engineer and retired cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev who spent 803 days, 9 hours and 39 minutes in space over the span of six spaceflights held the record of spending most time in space before his record was surpassed by Gennady Padalka on June 28, 2015. At present Krikalev ranks third in the list after Padalka and Yuri Malenchenko.  

 38 
James Irwin
(American Astronaut and the Eighth Person Ever to Walk on the Moon)
James Irwin
5
Birthdate: March 17, 1930
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Glenwood Springs, Colorado, United States
Died: August 8, 1991

James Irwin was an American astronaut, test pilot, aeronautical engineer, and a US Air Force pilot. He was part of the Apollo 15 mission and became only the eighth person ever to walk on the Moon. He was the recipient of several prestigious awards. In 1983, James Irwin was made an inductee of the International Space Hall of Fame.

 39 
Charles Bolden
(Astronaut)
Charles Bolden
9
Birthdate: August 19, 1946
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Columbia, South Carolina, United States
 40 
Richard Garriott
(Astronaut, Engineer, Video game developer, Programmer)
Richard Garriott
9
Birthdate: July 4, 1961
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Cambridge
 41 
Bruce McCandless II
(The First Person to Complete an Untethered Spacewalk)
Bruce McCandless II
7
Birthdate: June 8, 1937
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Died: December 21, 2017

US Navy officer, aviator, and NASA astronaut Bruce McCandless II was the first person to complete an untethered spacewalk. He also contributed to the development of the Manned Maneuvering Unit. Post-retirement, he became a research scientist. He once sued singer Dido for using one of his space flight photos as an album cover.

 42 
Leland D. Melvin
(Astronaut)
Leland D. Melvin
7
Birthdate: February 15, 1964
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Lynchburg, Virginia, United States
 43 
Sultan bin Salman Al Saud
(Saudi Prince and Former Royal Saudi Air Force Pilot)
Sultan bin Salman Al Saud
7
Birthdate: June 27, 1956
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Sultan bin Salman Al Saud is a Saudi prince best known for his service as a fighter pilot in the Royal Saudi Air Force. A payload specialist, Sultan flew aboard one of NASA's Space Shuttle missions. The first Arab and the first Muslim in space, Sultan has been honored with many prestigious awards, including the NASA Space Flight Medal. 

 44 
Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor
(Malaysian Astronaut.)
Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor
7
Birthdate: July 27, 1972
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor went from being an orthopaedic surgeon to becoming the first Malaysian man to fly into space. Chosen out of 11,000 applicants to join the Malaysian-Russian collaborative space initiative Angkasawan, he became a national hero. He also conducted various medical research experiments while in space.

 45 
Elliot See
(Officer, Test pilot, Astronaut)
Elliot See
5
Birthdate: July 23, 1927
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Dallas
Died: February 28, 1966
 46 
Valeri Polyakov
(Russian Cosmonaut Who Is the Record Holder for the Longest Single Stay in Space)
Valeri Polyakov
6
Birthdate: April 27, 1942
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Tula, Russia
Died: September 7, 2022

Valeri Polyakov is a Russian retired astronaut who holds the record for the longest single stay (437 days 18 hours) in space. He achieved this record when he stayed aboard the Mir space station for over 14 months during one of his trips. Over the course of his illustrious career, Valeri Polyakov was honored with several prestigious awards.

 47 
Marc Garneau
(Astronaut, Engineer, Politician)
Marc Garneau
7
Birthdate: February 23, 1949
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Quebec City

Distinguished Canadian politician, Marc Garneau, began his career as a naval officer and while in service became the first Canadian to travel to the outer space, eventually becoming the President of Canadian Space Agency. Elected to the Parliament as a member of the Liberal Party, he was named Minister of Transport in 2015 and Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2021.

 48 
Christopher Cassidy
(Astronaut)
Christopher Cassidy
5
Birthdate: January 4, 1970
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Salem
 49 
Story Musgrave
(US Physician and NASA Astronaut Who Became the 2nd Person to Make 6 Space Flights)
Story Musgrave
4
Birthdate: August 19, 1935
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Boston

US physician and astronaut Story Musgrave initially worked for the US Marine Corps. Before joining NASA, he gained a host of degrees, in subjects such as literature, math, and chemistry, and an MD from Columbia University. He became the 2nd astronaut to make 6 space flights and later worked for Imagineering and Applied Minds.

 50 
Gregory Jarvis
(Engineer, Astronaut, Officer)
Gregory Jarvis
5
Birthdate: August 24, 1944
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Detroit
Died: January 28, 1986