A living hero, an American patriot and space pioneer, when Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong landed the Eagle on the moon thirty years ago, the event marked not only the fulfillment of President Kennedy's mission to send someone to the moon before the end of the 1960s, but also began a new era of space exploration for all humanity. Buzz Aldrin is a reminder of the adventurous spirit of our country and stands as one of the bravest explorers of all time. He will share his memories of his momentous walk on the moon, the travels he's taken since and his vision for the future of exploration with guests aboard National Geographic Explorer in Antarctica on the Jan. 7, 2010 voyage.

He graduated third in his class at West Point, was a jet fighter pilot in Korea and earned his Doctor of Astronautics from MIT. Each of those accomplishments helped to prepare Buzz Aldrin for the historic event when he and Neil Armstrong landed on the moon and took "One Small Step for Man, One Giant Leap for Mankind."

When the Eagle landed on July 20, 1969, Buzz Aldrin completed an American mission, and his feat is widely remembered as one of the greatest achievements of the 20th century and the most memorable event in television history. Aldrin also piloted the Gemini 12 rendezvous space flight in 1966, during which he set a new 5.5 hour record for extended spacewalking.

Today we stand at the dawn of a new future that beckons space travel and exploration. Dr. Aldrin's non-profit ShareSpace Foundation, under a grant from NASA, is developing a study on just how long-range space exploration can benefit from opening the doors to space tourism; meanwhile histhink-tank Starcraft Boosters, Inc. works on the rocket designs that can get us there. Dr. Aldrin chairs both the National Space Society and the ShareSpace Foundation.

Dr. Aldrin is a 2005 recipient of the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans award. He was selected from hundreds of nominations based on having overcome humble beginnings and adversity to achieve success. Members of the Association mentor young people and sponsor over $5 million in Horatio Alger need-based scholarships awarded annually.

Dr. Aldrin's novel, a space adventure entitled The Return, fascinates readers with its story of four indomitable childhood friends who present the only hope to overcome a space-age crisis in a world where space tourism has come to fruition. Aldrin's past books include his first space novel and bestseller, Encounter with Tiber. His most recent published work is a children's book, Reaching for the Moon, which relates the life events that led him to the space program and his assignment on Apollo 11.

Stateswoman, physician, manager, politician and international activist, Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland has been at the forefront on issues of global significance. For over four decades, she has been dedicated to global interdependence, focusing on promoting sustainable development, increasing environmental awareness, and advocating for good health as a basic human right. She was Chair of the World Commission of Environment and Development, and the first female Director-General of the World Health Organization.

Dr. Brundtland spent 20 years in public office, including serving as Prime Minister of Norway—the first woman, and the youngest person to ever do so. Dr. Brundtland will join our voyage Beyond the North Cape on June 6, 2010 and speak about the culture and history of Norway.

She now serves as UN Special Envoy on Climate Change, seeking ways to balance human enterprise and the planet’s limits. The guiding force behind the “Brundtland Report” on sustainability over 20 years ago, she maintains her focus on the developmental impact of climate change and global warming.

As a member of The Elders, a group founded by Nelson Mandela, Graca Machel, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, she contributes to tackling the world’s toughest problems, aiming to make the world a better place.

Captain Lovell was chosen in September 1962 for the space program following extensive experience as a naval aviator and test pilot. Lovell executed various commands in the Gemini Mission Program, including serving as backup pilot for the Gemini 4 flight, and pilot on the history-making Gemini 7 flight that saw the first rendezvous of two manned spacecraft in 1965. He was also the backup commander for the Gemini 9 flight, and in 1966 he commanded the Gemini 12 spacecraft to successfully conclude the Gemini Program.

At the close of the Gemini program, Lovell became command module pilot and navigator for the epic six-day journey on Apollo 8, humanity's maiden voyage to the moon, during which he and his fellow crew were the first humans to leave the earth's gravitational influence. He then was backup commander to Neil Armstrong for the Apollo 11 lunar landing mission. His fourth and final flight was on the perilous Apollo 13 mission in 1970. As spacecraft commander, he and his crew successfully modified their lunar module into an effective lifeboat when their cryogenic oxygen system failed. Their emergency activation and operation of the lunar module systems conserved both electrical power and water in sufficient supply to ensure their survival in space and their safe return to Earth.

In 1973, Lovell left the space program. Today, he is president of Lovell Communications, a business devoted to disseminating information about the U.S. space program.

Captain Lovell's education prepared him for the change from explorer to businessperson. He attended the University of Wisconsinand graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, the University of Southern California Aviation Safety School, and the Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Program. He has also received honorary doctorates from Blackburn University, Mary Hardin-Baylor College, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Rockhurst College, Susquehanna University, Washington & Jefferson College, Western Michigan University, and William Patterson College.

He has garnered an impressive share of honors, including the Harmon, Collier, and Goddard Aerospace Trophies; the Presidential Medal of Freedom; the French Legion of Honor; NASA Distinguished and Exceptional Service Medals; the Navy Distinguished Service Medal; two Navy Distinguished Flying Crosses; and the Congressional Space Medal of Honor. He is also a fellow in the Society of Experimental Test Pilots.

In 1994, Lovell and Jeff Kluger wrote Lost Moon, the story of the courageous mission of Apollo 13. In 2000, the book was re-released as Apollo 13: Anniversary Edition to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Apollo 13 mission. In 1995, the film version of the best-seller, Apollo 13, was released to rave reviews. Lovell also appeared in several segments of Tom Hanks' From the Earth to the Moon, the acclaimed HBO documentary miniseries that aired in the spring of 1998.

The voice, heart, and soul of American journalism, Dan Rather is one of the most recognized and renowned reporters of our time. He has reported from the front lines around the globe, including such places as Iraq, Afghanistan,Vietnam, Tiananmen Square,the Middle East, Bosnia, and Haiti. His legendary reporting skills and single-minded pursuit of the story have earned him universal respect among his peers and the public.

On the domestic front, Rather has covered nearly every major story, from the tragedy of 9/11 to President Clinton's impeachment. He has reported on the civil rights movement, Watergate, and every presidential campaign since 1960. The first to break the news of President Kennedy's assassination, Rather has always given us an intimate glimpse at history in the making. He brings us the real story with grace, humanity, and substance.

The recipient of virtually every honor in broadcast journalism, including numerous Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, and citations from critical, scholarly, professional, and charitable organizations, Rather continues his award-winning reporting as a correspondent for 60 Minutes. He also produces and hosts Dan Rather Reports, a weekly news program featuring hard-edged field reports, interviews and investigative pieces exclusively on HDNet. A compelling speaker, few can match the authority, experience, and perspective Rather offers on world events and the significance of journalism in our time.

Tim Severin is one of the last of the traditional-style explorers: he has been testing theories of early migration for over 20 years and is the holder of the Gold Medal of the Royal Geographical Society and the Livingstone Medal of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society for outstanding services to exploration. His most recent quest has been to identify the real Robinson Crusoe.

“His deeds speak to us of the purity of achievement in an age where experience has become blunted by comfort and complacency.” The New York Times

An insatiable curiosity has led Tim around the world. He made his first expedition by motorcycle along the route of Marco Polo while still a student at Oxford. Among his many adventures, Tim sailed a leather boat across the North Atlantic in the wake of St. Brendan and captained an Arab sailing ship from Muscat to China to examine the origins of the tales of Sinbad the Sailor. He followed the route of the first Crusader knights to Jerusalem, traveled on horseback with nomads of Mongolia in search of the heritage of Genghis Khan, sailed the Pacific on a bamboo raft and pursued the great white whale of Melville's famous novel.

Tim has written books about all these adventures, which have won him the Thomas Cook Travel Book Award, The Book of the Sea Award, a Christopher Prize and the literary medal of the Academie de la Marine. He has recorded his journeys in award-winning documentary films, which have become classics of exploration and adventure.

This all being said, we are certain that Tim’s experiences and warm, relaxed style will add immensely to your voyage. Tim will accompany our expedition up until Madeira. Join us to hear first-hand the accounts of his fascinating life.

Explorer, scientist and astronaut, Kathy Sullivan has gone from the deepest parts of the ocean to the stars. She attended the University of California at Santa Cruz intending to major in languages and linguistics, but got hooked on marine geology. Her PhD work at Dalhousie University (Nova Scotia) involved mapping the deep seafloor off the Grand Banks of Newfoundland.

In 1993 she was appointed Chief Scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Her passion for teaching led her to the museum world, serving as President & CEO of COSI - Ohio's Center of Science & Industry - from 1996 to 2006. She now works in math and science education policy, as Director of the Battelle Center in Ohio State University's John Glenn School of Public Affairs. Dr. Sullivan is a member of the National Science Board and former Navy Reserve Oceanographer. Kathy first sailed with Lindblad Expeditions in 1999 on a Sea Bird voyage that helped shape the award-winning Imax film "Ocean Oasis". She was also a key technical advisor on the initiative that resulted in the suite of technologies used by our Undersea Specialists. When she can't get out to sea, she heads to a small grass strip to fly her two-seat, aerobatic Super Decathalon.

Kathy Sullivan was appointed a member of the National Science Board in November 2004. She served on the Pew Oceans Commission, whose nationwide study and subsequent report, " America's LivingOceans: Charting a Course for Sea Change," calls for immediate reform of U.S. ocean laws and policies to avert the decline of ocean wildlife and collapse of ocean ecosystems (2000-2003).
 

In 1980, Walesa, a simple electrician, led the 10 million-member Solidarity Labor Movement that inspired hope in the hearts of those starved for freedom. Despite the crackdown of martial law and repeated imprisonment, Walesa prevailed to see the end of communist rule in Poland and Eastern Europe.

For his heroic efforts, Walesa won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983. He received praise from leaders worldwide for his honor, including these words from President Reagan, "It's a victory for those who seek to enlarge the human spirit over those who seek to crush it."

In 1990, he was elected President of Poland. His term in office set Poland firmly on the path to becoming a free market democracy, enabling Poland to receive one of the first invitations to join an expanded NATO.

He heads the Lech Walesa Institute whose aim is to champion democracy and free market reform in Eastern Europe and throughout the developing world.