Irwin, James Benson (1930-1991)

US astronaut. As pilot of the lunar module during the Apollo 15 mission in 1971, he drove the first lunar roving vehicle, spending 18 hours on the Moon, travelling over 25 km/16 mi. He and David Scott collected 77 kg/171 lb of Moon soil and rocks.

Irwin was a test pilot for the US Air Force before being chosen as an astronaut in 1966. He retired from NASA in 1972. After his retirement, he founded the High Flight Foundation, a Christian organization, and served as its president and chair until his death.