Astronaut and moonwalker Alan Bean dies at 86
Bean was the lunar module pilot on Apollo 12, which made the second moon landing in 1969.
In this July 15, 2009 file photo, Apollo 12 astronaut Alan Bean walks through the largest exhibition of his artwork to date, inspired by his experience walking on the moon, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the first Apollo moon landing, in Washington. Bean, the Apollo and Skylab astronaut, fourth human to walk on the moon and an accomplished artist, has died. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo, File)
Astronaut Alan Bean, who was the fourth person to walk on the moon, has died.
A statement released by NASA and family members says Bean died Saturday in Houston after a short illness. He was 86.
Bean was the lunar module pilot on Apollo 12, which made the second moon landing in 1969.
He then commanded the second crewed flight to the United States’ first space station, Skylab, in 1973. On that mission, he orbited the Earth for 59 days.
Bean spent a total of 69 days in space, including 31 hours on the moon.
His wife of 40 years, Leslie Bean, said in the statement he died peacefully surrounded by those who loved him.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.
Charles L. Blockson Collection at Temple turns 40
The collection at Temple University honors the legacy of one of America’s foremost historians and collectors of artifacts on the global Black experience.
2 days ago
Pioneering black mathematician Katherine Johnson has died
NASA says Katherine Johnson, a mathematician who worked on NASA’s early space missions and was portrayed in the film “Hidden Figures" has died.
5 years ago
NASA: Legendary astronaut, moonwalker John Young has died
Young died Friday night at home in Houston following complications from pneumonia.
7 years ago