Let's make this birthday one to remember.

69 years old (Born on June 29, 1955)

Happy Birthday, Charles! Seems like piloting rockets cruising at 17,500 mph became your favorite hobby—most of us settle for golf or gardening, but commanding a space shuttle is quite the leap! From safely steering missions aboard Atlantis and Discovery to boldly exploring new frontiers (and probably becoming best friends with zero gravity), you've introduced "out-of-this-world" literally into our vocabulary.

On this special day—and without NASA’s rigorous protocols watching over you—indulge in cake that's calorie-loaded enough to test Earth's gravitational limits. You've orbited Earth countless times; today it's time we revolve around you. Happy birthday—you truly rock(et)!