Paul Scully-Power: The First Bearded Astronaut

Back in the 1960s, when manned space flight was still getting off the ground, the daring astronauts were mostly a clean-shaven bunch. Beards simply weren’t fashionable at the time. Or so they would have us believe. 

Up there, in the vacuum of space, most of the astronauts quit shaving. It’s just too much hassle in zero gravity. Mike Collins of Apollo 11, for example, grew a fine-looking mustache during quarantine. But by the time he addressed Congress, it was gone. Duke, Young, and Mattingly – the crew of Apollo 16 – also gave up shaving entirely.

But, as Bob Dylan put it, the “times they were a-changin’” – beards were back. Paul Scully-Power was the first person to refuse flat-out to shave his beard. He flew space flight STS-41-G Challenger – a space shuttle flight – as a Payload Specialist in 1984. His refusal to shave his beard was just an early sign of a maverick in the making.

Overview of Paul Scully-Power’s Career

• First Australian-born astronaut flew on the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1984. (and the first bearded man in space.)
• Renowned oceanographers have contributed significant insights into ocean dynamics.
• Pioneered methods for analyzing ocean features from space.
• Held esteemed roles in academia and industry, enhancing oceanographic research.
• Advised organizations and governments on space and oceanographic matters.
• Inspired interdisciplinary approaches in space science and oceanography.

One Small Step for Man, One Giant Leap For Beardkind 

Paul Scully-Power never wanted to be an astronaut. As a young man, he wasn’t looking up; he was looking down. Spending his youth on Sydney’s beautiful beaches, he fell in love with the ocean – a passion that would be lifelong.

After becoming head of the Australian Navy’s oceanography division, he worked alongside NASA in the 1970s, using the agency’s infrared satellite to survey the ocean. Recognizing his brilliance and expertise, he joined the 13th flight of the space shuttle program.

NASA expected Scully-Power to shave off the beard. It was a safety issue that could prevent the helmet from achieving an airtight seal. He disagreed. So, NASA put him through a series of “impossible tests” but only ended up proving that the beard made no difference. Determined as ever, NASA gave in – the beard stayed, and he was cleared to fly. 

What Came Next?

Following his successful space flight – in which he became one of less than 600 people to leave the Earth’s atmosphere – Paul Scully-Power would return to Australia. There, he would become the CTO of Tenix Group, Australia’s largest Defense and Technology contractor. He also joined the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the Federal Government’s International Space Advisory Group.

Needless to say, he’s Australia’s foremost expert on everything from oceanography to space flight. In fact, his current passion is transforming Australia’s space industry. The Pacific nation is the only OECD country without a space agency – something Scully-Power wishes to change. His dream covers everything from nanosatellites to inspiring the next generation of spacefarers.