A former NASA astronaut whose great-grandfather rode in the Pony Express is back in St. Joseph to witness Monday's total solar eclipse.
Dr. William Fisher II is the descendant of Pony Express rider Billy Fisher and said that connection will make viewing the eclipse reach totality in St. Joseph extra special.
Billy Fisher, rider in the Pony Express
He went into space as a part of the sixth flight of Space Shuttle Discovery and brought several items connected to his ancestor's time riding in the Pony Express.
"There was several items I brought from this museum like a Pony Express poster," Fisher said. "Interestingly enough, the Pony Express was ended by the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad where they drove the golden spike and I got to fly the golden spike on my mission too."
Crew on the sixth mission of Space Shuttle Discovery
Fisher's mission began on August 27, 1985 and lasted just over seven days and he said he felt participating in the space mission was a continuation of the same spirit of adventure that his great grand-father had exhibited by riding in the Pony Express.
"It's the pioneer spirit that lives in all of us and it felt great that I was carrying on his legacy." Fisher said.
The connection to his ancestor isn't the only thing that will make Monday a day to remember for Fisher. He said that being around people witnessing the solar spectacle for the first time is also a one of a kind experience.
"If you see a solar eclipse and you're not moved by it to think about the heavens in general there's something wrong with you," Fisher said. "Everybody that I know has learned something about the solar system and the sun from the fact that it is coming and I think that's a great thing."
Fisher also spoke with KQ2 about his thoughts on the program that brought him into space ending.
"We haven't got a space ship at all. Our astronauts can't get to space without the Russians," Fisher said. "That's shameful. Do you know how long ago we landed on the moon? It was a month before Woodstock! Now we can't even get to space. I think it's disgraceful."
With Monday's celestial event being viewed by people coast-to-coast, he hopes it will inspire those witnessing and push the space program forward.
"We need to make some kind of discovery that pushes us ahead," Fisher said. "I wish it had been sooner in my lifetime because Mars would be great."
Fisher makes it a point to return to St. Joseph every couple decades to reconnect with his family roots.
