Apollo 17: The Last Manned Moonwalk of the Apollo Program

On December 14, 1972, astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt of the Apollo 17 mission completed the final manned moonwalk of NASA’s Apollo program. This historic event marked the end of an era in space exploration, as it was the last time humans set foot on the lunar surface.

Context and Background

Apollo 17 was the eleventh and final mission of NASA’s Apollo program, and it was the sixth mission to land humans on the Moon. The mission launched on December 7, 1972, from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew consisted of Commander Eugene Cernan, Command Module Pilot Ronald Evans, and Lunar Module Pilot Harrison Schmitt. Notably, Schmitt was the first and only professional geologist to walk on the Moon, bringing a scientific perspective to the mission’s geological explorations.

Key Events Leading to the Moonwalk

• Landing Site: The Apollo 17 mission targeted the Taurus-Littrow valley, chosen for its diverse geological features, which promised valuable scientific insights.
• Objectives: The mission aimed to collect lunar samples, conduct scientific experiments, and deploy scientific instruments to study the Moon’s surface and environment.

The Last Moonwalk

• Duration: The final moonwalk, or Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA), took place on December 14, 1972, and lasted approximately 7 hours and 15 minutes.
• Activities: During this EVA, Cernan and Schmitt conducted geological surveys, collected rock and soil samples, and deployed scientific instruments. They used the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) to traverse the lunar surface, covering significant distances to gather diverse samples.
• Final Moments: As they prepared to leave the Moon, Cernan delivered a poignant message, reflecting on the significance of their mission and expressing hope for future lunar exploration.

Aftermath and Significance

• Return to Earth: The Apollo 17 mission concluded with a successful splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on December 19, 1972.
• Legacy: The samples and data collected during Apollo 17 have contributed significantly to our understanding of the Moon’s geological history and composition. The mission’s success demonstrated the capabilities of human space exploration and set the stage for future endeavors.
• Historical Impact: Eugene Cernan’s status as the last human to walk on the Moon remains a symbol of the achievements of the Apollo program and a reminder of the potential for future exploration.

Apollo 17’s final moonwalk stands as a testament to human ingenuity and the spirit of exploration, leaving an enduring legacy in the annals of space history.