The astronaut who circled the moon but never stepped on it

Space · Published 22 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Fred Haise, Jr. was originally scheduled to become the sixth person to walk on the lunar surface in April 1970. Instead, he became a symbol of survival. His journey from a research pilot to a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient offers a masterclass in perseverance.

Fred Haise, Jr. served as a NASA research pilot at the Flight Research Center from 1963 through 1966 before joining the astronaut corps. During 1977, his involvement with NASA Dryden's Space Shuttle Approach and Landing Tests showcased his background in rigorous flight testing. However, he is most famously associated with the Apollo 13 mission, where he served as the lunar module pilot.

The Apollo 13 mission was intended to land on the Moon, but a critical failure forced a harrowing emergency return. While Haise did not walk on the lunar surface as planned, he earned the distinction of having circled behind the Moon and returning safely to Earth. This experience of courage and perseverance eventually led to his induction into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, a prestigious honor shared by only 24 Apollo astronauts.

In 2009, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden presented Haise with the Ambassador of Exploration Award in his hometown of Biloxi, Mississippi. This award recognizes the sacrifices of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo eras. During the ceremony, Haise performed a symbolic gesture of legacy by presenting his encased moon rock to Gorenflo Elementary School, the very institution where he began his own education. Haise received the 1971 AIAA Haley Astronautics Award and the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his enduring commitment to space science.

The award serves as a bridge between the pioneers of the 1960s and the next generation of explorers. By returning his moon rock to a local school, Haise transformed a personal artifact of a historic mission into a tool for public inspiration, highlighting the transition from individual achievement to collective scientific advancement.

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