Seaman Jr.- Lewis and Clark Pups

Woof, fellow earthlings! This is Seaman Jr., writing from space!

Right now, I’m aboard the International Space Station, a giant laboratory that circles the Earth at more than 17,000 miles per hour! Some said that a small and fuzzy toy like me could never be an astronaut, but I’m no ordinary stuffed animal.

My journey to space started over 200 years ago, long before my time. You see, the original Seaman was the greatest canine explorer of all time. On the orders of President Thomas Jefferson, he trekked almost 8,000 miles through the wilderness with the Lewis and Clark expedition.

The team travelled west for two long years, using science to study the animals, plants, weather, and landscapes along the way. While the explorers studied their surroundings, Seaman served cheerfully as a watchdog, hunter, and loyal friend.

The expedition faced many dangers, including harsh winters, rugged terrain, and hostile animals. Luckily, they found lots of help along the way. Through teamwork with Sacagawea and other Native Americans, Seaman and his pals safely reached the Pacific Ocean in 1805!

Looking down at America, I can see the route Seaman took, which is now called the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. It stretches all the way from Illinois to Oregon, but state borders aren’t visible from here. Instead, I see the vast forests, rivers, and mountains that Seaman bravely crossed before reaching the Pacific Ocean.

For his heroism, the original Seaman was given a collar that said, “The greatest traveler of my species.” Because we share a name, NASA thought I would also be brave, smart, and eager to serve with people from many cultures. That’s why they sent me to explore the next frontier: space! Now, as a pupstronaut, I’m working hard to prove myself worthy of the name Seaman Jr.

Soon, I’ll be sending you more reports from space along with journal entries from my intense training at different NASA centers and other National Trails.

Stay tuned, and keep exploring!

Wags,
Seaman Jr.

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the National Trails System five special (toy) dogs, the Lewis and Clark Pups, will travel in the paws of their ancestor Seaman, dog of Meriwether Lewis. The pups will travel more than 3,700 miles to complete their mission to commemorate and protect the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. They will be joined by Seaman Jr. who will complete his portion of the mission on the International Space Station.

As they make their stops they will be reporting back in on their adventures. Follow Rocky, Harper, Dakota, Keelieand Seaman Jr. at: Newfie News

Photo with astronaut in space and park ranger

NASA Live Call from Space

Expedition 57 Education Interview with Astronaut Serena and Seaman Junior on the International Space Station.

Seaman Jr.- Lewis and Clark Pups

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NASA Technology
NASA creates new technology to explore space, protect astronauts, and more. Many of these same technologies help us study and stay safe on our own planet, Earth. NASA spinoffs are products that started as NASA technology, or were worked on by NASA, that are now used for other purposes. Explore these pages and discover the connections NASA technology brings to your life.
Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
Home Is Where the Heart Is
- Locations: Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
Guess what? I’m home! I returned aboard SpaceX’s Dragon CRS-16 commercial cargo flight in January. It was with a sad puppy heart that I left the International Space Station. Being at Space Station really changed my perspective of our home planet. It’s just as they say: there are no country borders visible from space – only this one, breathtaking, fragile world that we all share!
Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
Human Exploration, Horsepower, and Doggone! NASA's Stennis Space Center
- Locations: Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
When I was at the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, I trained at the Test Control Center A-1 and A-2 Test Stands.
Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
Making a Splash with the Big Dogs!
- Locations: Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
Hi, everyone! While I was at NASA’s Langley Research Center I trained at the Gantry.
Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
Dog Days at NASA’s Langley Research Center
- Locations: Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
Hi everyone! Here I am sitting on a model of the X59 QueSST.
Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
Welcome to Rocket City!
- Locations: Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
While I was training at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, Moriah Fordham of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center showed me a full-scale Saturn V rocket replica.
Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
Rover in the Rover: Seaman Jr. at NASA’s Johnson Space Center
- Locations: Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
This is one of NASA’s Space Exploration Vehicles at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, where I learned about robotics in space.
Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
That is one fancy keelboat!
- Locations: Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
In the Orion Command Module mockup behind me, I trained for a future deep-space mission, like to the vicinity of the Moon, or even Mars -- farther than a pup like me or anybody has ever gone before! This was my favorite part of my visit to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston: the Orion Command Module mockup. Orion is not as big as Lewis’ and Clark’s keelboat, which had a crew of 27.
Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
Getting my marching orders- NASA Headquarters
- Locations: Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
I got a view of the rooftops, including the dome of the U.S. Capitol, from the roof of NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. I had lots of fun at NASA Headquarters! I learned that the people at Headquarters make decisions about space policy, like how America will send explorers back to the Moon to get ready to go to Mars.
Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
Celestial navigation- NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- Locations: Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
At NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, I saw all the precision and preparation that goes into making a long voyage across the solar system. And I found out that NASA's robotic missions are continuing Lewis’ and Clark's tradition of scientific exploration, with spacecraft blazing trails to lots of other planets, as well as observing Earth from space.