March often feels like a hinge between seasons, and for space history it’s a small but interesting marker: several crew members and cosmonauts share birthdays in this month, spanning different eras and programs. Looking at that cluster gives a neat way to trace changes in training, technology, and international participation over time.
There are 12 Astronauts Born in March, ranging from Alan Bean to Yuri Gagarin. Details are presented with columns Birthdate (YYYY-MM-DD),Birthplace,Missions — you’ll find below.
How was this list of astronauts born in March compiled?
The names were gathered from publicly available biographical records and official agency rosters, cross-checked for birthdates and mission assignments; entries focus on individuals officially recognized as astronauts or cosmonauts, so civilian space tourists or unflown trainees are generally excluded.
Can I sort the list by birthdate, birthplace, or missions?
Yes — the table below is structured so you can sort or filter by the columns Birthdate (YYYY-MM-DD),Birthplace, and Missions to compare timelines, nationalities, or career flight histories.
Astronauts Born in March
| Name | Birthdate (YYYY-MM-DD) | Birthplace | Missions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yuri Gagarin | 1934-03-09 | Klushino, Soviet Union | Vostok 1 |
| Valentina Tereshkova | 1937-03-06 | Bolshoye Maslennikovo, Soviet Union | Vostok 6 |
| Jim Lovell | 1928-03-25 | Cleveland, Ohio, USA | Gemini 7,Gemini 12,Apollo 8,Apollo 13 |
| Alan Bean | 1932-03-15 | Wheeler, Texas, USA | Apollo 12,Skylab 3 |
| Gene Cernan | 1934-03-14 | Chicago, Illinois, USA | Gemini 9A,Apollo 10,Apollo 17 |
| Frank Borman | 1928-03-14 | Gary, Indiana, USA | Gemini 7,Apollo 8 |
| Wally Schirra | 1923-03-12 | Hackensack, New Jersey, USA | Mercury-Atlas 8,Gemini 6A,Apollo 7 |
| Gordon Cooper | 1927-03-06 | Shawnee, Oklahoma, USA | Mercury-Atlas 9,Gemini 5 |
| Kalpana Chawla | 1962-03-17 | Karnal, India | STS-87,STS-107 |
| Jim Irwin | 1930-03-17 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA | Apollo 15 |
| Donn Eisele | 1930-03-23 | Columbus, Ohio, USA | Apollo 7 |
| Vladimir Komarov | 1927-03-16 | Moscow, Soviet Union | Voskhod 1,Soyuz 1 |
Images and Descriptions
Yuri Gagarin
Soviet cosmonaut, first human in space (Vostok 1, 1961). Selected 1960 as a cosmonaut, became a global icon and Hero of the Soviet Union; died in 1968 during a training flight, remembered as a pioneer of crewed spaceflight.
Valentina Tereshkova
First woman in space, Soviet cosmonaut selected 1962. Flew Vostok 6 in 1963, spending nearly three days in orbit; later served in politics and remained an enduring symbol of Soviet space achievements and women’s role in exploration.
Jim Lovell
American astronaut and US Navy aviator selected 1962. Flew Gemini 7 and 12, served on Apollo 8 and commanded Apollo 13’s ill-fated lunar mission, noted for leadership during an in-flight emergency and survival after an oxygen tank explosion.
Alan Bean
American astronaut and naval aviator, selected 1963. Lunar module pilot on Apollo 12 and commander of Skylab 3; fourth person to walk on the Moon and later became a painter known for interpreting spaceflight through art.
Gene Cernan
American astronaut and US Navy officer selected 1963. Flew Gemini 9A and Apollo 10, later commanded Apollo 17; famously the last person to walk on the Moon and a long-time advocate for continued human space exploration.
Frank Borman
American astronaut and USAF pilot selected 1962. Commanded Gemini 7 and famously led Apollo 8, the first crewed lunar orbital mission; later served in aerospace industry leadership and public service roles after NASA.
Wally Schirra
American astronaut and naval aviator, one of the original Mercury Seven selected 1959. Flew Mercury-Atlas 8, Gemini 6A and commanded Apollo 7; distinguished for flying in Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs.
Gordon Cooper
American astronaut, Mercury Seven member selected 1959. Flew the final Mercury mission (Faith 7) and later Gemini 5; known for his long-duration Mercury flight and contributions to early US human spaceflight operations.
Kalpana Chawla
Indian-American astronaut selected 1994 by NASA. Flew STS-87 and STS-107 and tragically died in the Columbia disaster in 2003; remembered as the first woman of Indian origin in space and an inspiration for STEM careers.
Jim Irwin
American astronaut and USAF pilot selected 1966. Served as lunar module pilot on Apollo 15 and walked on the Moon; after NASA he founded a Christian ministry and led ventures tied to exploration and outreach.
Donn Eisele
American astronaut and USAF officer selected 1963. Pilot on Apollo 7, NASA’s first crewed Apollo mission in 1968; contributed to early Command Module systems and astronaut training before leaving NASA for a career in the private sector.
Vladimir Komarov
Soviet cosmonaut and test pilot selected 1960. Flew on Voskhod 1 and commanded Soyuz 1, dying when Soyuz 1 crashed on reentry; remembered as an early spaceflight pioneer and a poignant symbol of risks in human space exploration.
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