Timmy Gambin writes...

The death has recently been announced of Scott Carpenter, an eminent American astronaut.

Reading through his achievements, one notes that this man mastered one of the first test flights in the pioneering days of space exploration. Following his first mission, he never returned to space. He did, however, participate in the US Navy’s innovative SEALAB project, which saw men living in underwater habitats for long periods of time.

His 30-day stint was a record at the time and he became the world’s first and, possibly, only man to have been both an astronaut and aquanaut.

Up until relatively recently there was no connection between Scott and our little island. That was to change in 2006 when, at the age of 81, he visited our shores for the first time. Despite his advanced years, his mind was as sharp as tack and he was fascinated by Malta’s history and heritage – continuously asking questions like a wide-eyed eager student.

When visiting a friend in the countryside he was captivated by the process of extracting olive oil. Most of all, he fell in love with Maltese honey, of which he took a jar back home to the US.

So deeply did he fall in love with our islands that, a few years later, when on a tour of the Mediterranean he convinced his host to stop for a sojourn. As usual he was warm, engaging and generous. He brought with him signed mementos from his space missions to reciprocate the warm welcome he had received during his first holiday.

Sadly, that was to be his final visit to Malta and Gozo.

The memories my family and I have of our time spent with this true gentleman shall be cherished forever.

To borrow one of his own oft used phrases: “God Speed” Scott Carpenter.