Apollo 17 landing

Apollo 17 · 1972 CE · The Moon

Conduct the last crewed lunar landing.

Historical context

Apollo 17 closed the programme with the only geologist to walk on the Moon. Taurus–Littrow was chosen for its young volcanic material and its contact between highlands and mare.

The voyage, step by step

1. The last lunar mission

   1972 CE

   Cernan, Evans and geologist Schmitt arrive in lunar orbit.

2. The only night launch

   1972 CE

   A hold at thirty seconds delays the launch to 00:33, and the Saturn V lights the coast for five hundred kilometres.

3. A scientist at last

   1972 CE

   Harrison Schmitt, a field geologist rather than a test pilot, flies on the final mission.

4. Taurus–Littrow

   1972 CE

   They land in a valley chosen for its young volcanic material.

5. The orange soil

   1972 CE

   At the rim of Shorty crater Schmitt scuffs the surface and finds bright orange glass under the grey.

6. The last footsteps

   1972 CE

   They drive over 35 km in the rover; Cernan is the last person to stand on the Moon.

Outcome

Three days in Taurus–Littrow with the rover.

Apollo 17

Last crewed Moon landing, carrying geologist Harrison Schmitt and setting endurance records for lunar exploration.

Read on Wikipedia

Sources

• Apollo 17 — Wikipedia

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