Apollo 17: The Last Moonwalk

Overview

On December 13, 1972, astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt became the last humans to walk on the Moon. This historic event marked the conclusion of NASA’s Apollo program, which had begun with the goal of landing humans on the Moon and safely returning them to Earth.

Key Figures

• Eugene Cernan: Serving as the mission commander, Cernan was a veteran astronaut who had previously flown on Gemini 9A and Apollo 10. He was the last person to leave the lunar surface, making him the final human to have walked on the Moon.

• Harrison Schmitt: A geologist and lunar module pilot, Schmitt was the first scientist-astronaut to land on the Moon. His expertise in geology provided invaluable insights into the lunar surface and its composition.

Mission Details

• Launch Date: Apollo 17 launched on December 7, 1972, from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

• Lunar Module: The lunar module, named “Challenger,” landed in the Taurus-Littrow valley, a region chosen for its diverse geological features.

• Moonwalks: Cernan and Schmitt conducted three extravehicular activities (EVAs) on the lunar surface, spending a total of about 22 hours outside the lunar module.

• Scientific Contributions: The mission focused heavily on scientific exploration, with Schmitt’s geological expertise leading to the collection of over 110 kilograms (243 pounds) of lunar samples. These samples have provided significant insights into the Moon’s history and composition.

Historical Significance

• Final Apollo Mission: Apollo 17 was the last mission of the Apollo program, which had achieved the monumental goal set by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 to land a man on the Moon and return him safely to Earth before the decade’s end.

• Legacy: The mission’s success underscored the capabilities of human space exploration and laid the groundwork for future endeavors. The data and samples collected continue to inform lunar science and exploration strategies.

• Cultural Impact: The image of Cernan’s final steps on the Moon and his words, “We leave as we came, and, God willing, as we shall return, with peace and hope for all mankind,” resonate as a testament to human curiosity and the spirit of exploration.

Conclusion

Apollo 17’s successful mission and the last human footsteps on the Moon remain a significant milestone in space exploration history. The achievements of Eugene Cernan, Harrison Schmitt, and the entire Apollo program continue to inspire future generations to explore beyond our planet.