Dr. Karl Gordon Henize, a prominent senior space agency scientist and the oldest American astronaut to travel into space, unfortunately died on Mount Everest on October 5, 1993. The news of his premature death from respiratory failure has put the whole space community in sadness for the loss of a magnificent person. Dr. Henize was 66 years old when he passed away.
Dr. Henize, pronounced HEN-eyes, was a remarkable individual who was born in Cincinnati in 1926. He graduated from the University of Virginia with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s degree in astronomy. He later got a PhD in astronomy from the University of Michigan in 1954.
Dr. Henize made major contributions as an astronomer at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and as a professor at Northwestern University prior to his engagement with the space program. His stint at an observatory in Bloemfontein, South Africa, resulted in the discovery of the third nova ever discovered in the Magellanic Cloud, a key milestone in the study of astronomy.
Dr. Henize was in charge of monitoring tests done during the Gemini 10 flight in 1966 while at Northwestern University. The mission’s goal was to collect UV radiation radiated by four stars. Following this venture, NASA picked him as a scientist-astronaut in 1967, and he later served as a member of the Apollo 15 support crew in 1971.
Dr. Henize’s most significant accomplishments
Dr. Henize made major contributions as an astronomer at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and as a professor at Northwestern University prior to his engagement with the space program. His stint at an observatory in Bloemfontein, South Africa, resulted in the discovery of the third nova ever discovered in the Magellanic Cloud, a key milestone in the study of astronomy.
Dr. Henize was in charge of monitoring tests done during the Gemini 10 flight in 1966 while at Northwestern University. The mission’s goal was to collect UV radiation radiated by four stars. Following this venture, NASA picked him as a scientist-astronaut in 1967, and he later served as a member of the Apollo 15 support crew in 1971.
Dr. Henize’s most remarkable achievement came in 1985, when he embarked on his first and only space trip at the age of 58. He became the oldest American astronaut to travel into orbit as part of the Spacelab-2 mission on the space shuttle Challenger. Dr. Henize was instrumental in testing and operating the instrument pointing system, operating the robot arm, and conducting different scientific experiments during the trip.
Dr. Henize’s passion to NASA remained even after he departed from the astronaut program in 1986. As a senior scientist in the Space Sciences Branch at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, he continued to contribute to the agency. His skills and experience were extremely beneficial to the scientific community.
Dr. Henize has a profound enthusiasm for climbing in addition to his achievements in space research. In 1991, he successfully climbed Mount Rainier in Washington, demonstrating his daring and persistence.
Dr. Henize will be remembered as a remarkable person who made an everlasting imprint on the scientific and climbing worlds. His outstanding contributions to astronomy and space exploration, as well as his unshakable devotion to the quest of knowledge, will inspire future generations.
During this sad time, our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Caroline, his four children, and his brother. The memory of Dr. Karl G. Henize will live on in the annals of space exploration and climbing history.
Death on Mount Everest
Dr. Karl G. Henize, a distinguished scientist and esteemed member of NASA, embarked on a hiking expedition to Mount Everest in collaboration with the British research group High Adventure BVI. At the time, Dr. Henize was on leave from his responsibilities at NASA, pursuing an opportunity to conduct crucial experiments related to space missions and radiation exposure. Tragically, this expedition would mark the end of his remarkable journey. Dr. Henize passed away in his sleep on October 5, 1993, at the age of 66, succumbing to high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE).
The purpose of Dr. Henize’s expedition was to test the Tissue Equivalent Proportional Counter (TEPC) at various altitudes on Mount Everest. The TEPC was designed to assess how radiation affected the human body, particularly the behavior of bodily tissues when exposed to radiation. The data collected during the expedition would provide valuable insights for NASA and the British Virgin Islands (BVI) in planning future long-duration space missions.
Before commencing the hike, Dr. Henize acclimatized in Kathmandu, Nepal, and then proceeded to the expedition’s base camp in China. Accompanied by three members of High Adventure BVI, the team set out on October 4, 1993, determined to carry out their scientific objectives. However, their journey encountered a significant setback when Dr. Henize began experiencing breathing difficulties as they made their way towards the advanced base camp at an altitude of 22,000 feet.
Despite attempts to alleviate his condition using oxygen, Dr. Henize’s health continued to deteriorate, prompting the team to make the difficult decision to return to the base camp. Tragically, on the night of October 5, Dr. Henize passed away peacefully in his sleep. The subsequent investigation determined that high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) was the cause of his untimely demise.
In honor of his contributions and his wishes, Dr. Henize was laid to rest near the Changtse Glacier, forever remaining in the majestic embrace of the mountain he sought to explore. His legacy extends far beyond his scientific achievements, as he left behind a loving family. Dr. Henize is survived by his wife, Caroline, and four children, who undoubtedly carry his spirit of exploration and scientific inquiry within them.
Dr. Karl G. Henize will be remembered as a true pioneer in his field, an astronaut, and a scientist who dedicated his life to advancing our understanding of space and radiation. His unwavering commitment to knowledge and his profound contributions to NASA and the scientific community will forever be etched in our collective memory. May his spirit continue to inspire future generations to explore the unknown and push the boundaries of human understanding.
Though his life was cut short, Dr. Henize’s impact on the scientific world will endure, serving as a testament to his remarkable legacy.
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