the Navy/NASA liaison for underwater zero gravity training – or
neutral buoyancy, which has become mandatory for NASA EVA
astronaut training. For this work, Carpenter was awarded the
Navy’s Legion of Merit medal.
In his later years after retiring from the Navy, Carpenter has
remained active on various projects utilising his aerospace and
oceanic engineering expertise. From enhancing ocean resource
usage, to consulting on underwater, diving and submersibles,
and lecturing on the future of technology developments and
impacts, Carpenter has remained an active
contributor to the quality of our lives here on
Earth. Not stopping there, he has also authored
three books, one of which is his memoirs
“For Spacious Skies” which he wrote with his
daughter Kris Stoever. Carpenter remained a
staunch advocate of manned spaceflight, and
pushing our exploration to Mars.
“We need a goal other than the International
Space Station. We need to get cracking on a
manned flight to Mars, because that is going to
capture the interest, support and imagination
of people who pay for spaceflight…We need
to go to Mars… Mars is interim, but for now that
is a goal that NASA and the country and the
planet can live with enthusiastically”.
Looking back, Carpenter remarked that
he and John Glenn bonded over common
interests, mutual respect and being Air Force
boys. Upon hearing of his great friend’s passing, the last
remaining torchbearer of that age, Mercury astronaut John
Glenn paid tribute with his friend’s simple words and remarked
“Godspeed, Scott Carpenter”. Carpenter himself has remarked
that he believes he is very fortunate to have lived life during a
time when there were so many unknowns to be solved during
this century. That has pleased him immensely as he was always
a very curious person and he has had a lot of satisfied curiosity
in his time.
Meeting Carpenter at Spacefest V in May 2013 in what
turned out to be his twilight months, was a special privilege
and for myself, the highest honour, to meet a member of the
Original Seven. Meeting Scott himself, who truly understands
the wider more nuanced experiences of manned spaceflight,
the continuing importance of manned exploration and the
questing nature of humanity, was even more special to me. The
hallmark of his character, curiosity, still burned brightly in his alert
eyes even though his health was visibly failing. I briefly asked him
about what lessons he has taken with him on his explorations of
the ocean and space. Scott merely whispered, as if sharing a
secret.
“Be led by your curiosity. And never forget the fun of learning
and discovery. It can take you places you have never dreamed.”
Words from a curious but ordinary superman that will stay with
me forever. May fair winds be at your back Star Voyager for