Alan Bean Bio, Birthday, Birthsign, Birthplace, Height and Profession

Alan Bean, born on March 15, 1932, was an American astronaut and the fourth person to walk on the moon. He was born in Wheeler, Texas, and grew up in Fort Worth. Bean attended the University of Texas, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1955. After completing his education, Bean joined the United States Navy and became a naval aviator. He served as a test pilot and flew various aircraft, including the F-4 Phantom II. In 1963, he was selected as a NASA astronaut as part of Astronaut Group 3, also known as the "Fourteen Astronauts" or "The Hogs." Bean's first space mission was as the lunar module pilot on Apollo 12, which launched on November 14, 1969. During this mission, he and fellow astronaut Pete Conrad became the third and fourth individuals to walk on the moon's surface. They spent a total of 7 hours and 45 minutes outside the lunar module, conducting experiments and collecting samples. One interesting fact about Bean is that he accidentally exposed a camera to the vacuum of space during the Apollo 12 mission. Despite the camera being damaged, Bean managed to salvage it and later used it to capture some of his iconic moonwalk photographs. After his lunar mission, Bean served as backup commander for Apollo 15 and was slated to command Apollo 19. However, due to budget cuts and the cancellation of later Apollo missions, Bean never had the opportunity to return to space. Instead, he transitioned to a career in painting, becoming known for his artwork depicting space exploration. Bean's paintings often incorporated moon dust, bits of his Apollo 12 mission patches, and even his own astronaut boot prints. He aimed to capture the unique experiences and perspectives of those who had been to space. His artwork has been exhibited in various galleries and museums, including the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. In addition to his artistic pursuits, Bean also authored several books, including "Apollo: An Eyewitness Account" and "Painting Apollo: First Artist on Another World." These books provided insights into his experiences as an astronaut and his artistic journey. Alan Bean passed away on May 26, 2018, at the age of 86. His contributions to space exploration, both as an astronaut and an artist, continue to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.