Alan Bean was born on March 15, 1932 in Wheeler, Texas. From a young age, he was fascinated by space and aviation, dreaming of one day becoming an astronaut. He excelled in his studies and eventually earned a Bachelor of Arts in aeronautical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 1955.
Bean joined NASA in 1963 as part of the astronaut program. He quickly rose through the ranks and was selected as the Lunar Module Pilot for Apollo 12, making him the fourth person to walk on the moon. During his time in outer space, Bean spent more than two months on various missions, conducting experiments and research to further our understanding of the universe.
Bean's expertise led him to be named the commander of Skylab 3, the second manned mission to the Skylab space station. During this mission, Bean and his crew conducted numerous experiments and observations, setting the stage for future space exploration.
Outside of his career as an astronaut, Bean was a talented painter. After retiring from NASA, he dedicated himself to his art, creating beautiful and vivid paintings inspired by his time in space. Bean was also a devoted husband to his wife, Leslie, and together they raised two children.
Alan Bean's contributions to space exploration and his artistic talents have left a lasting impact on the world. His paintings capture the beauty and wonder of the universe, inspiring generations to look to the stars with awe and curiosity.
Alan Bean passed away on May 26, 2018, but his legacy continues to inspire future astronauts and artists alike. His dedication to exploration and his passion for space will always be remembered.