Today, December 11, 2023, marks a significant milestone in space exploration history, as it has been precisely 51 years since humans last set foot on the moon.
On this day in 1972, the Apollo 17 mission concluded, marking the sixth and final lunar landing of NASA’s Apollo program. The historic voyage left an indelible mark on the annals of space exploration, bringing a temporary halt to human lunar exploration.
Apollo 17 was the culmination of a remarkable era of space exploration that began with the iconic Apollo 11 mission in 1969, where humans first landed on the moon. Launched on December 7, 1972, with astronauts Eugene Cernan, Harrison Schmitt, and Ronald Evans aboard, Apollo 17 aimed to push the boundaries of scientific discovery and lunar exploration.
Apollo 17 stands out not only for being the last lunar mission but also for the scientific accomplishments it achieved. The astronauts conducted extensive geological surveys, collecting rock and soil samples that provided valuable insights into the moon’s composition and history. The mission also deployed the Lunar Roving Vehicle, allowing astronauts to explore larger areas of the lunar surface.
On December 11, 1972, Eugene Cernan, the mission commander, became the last human to leave footprints on the lunar soil. His words, “We leave as we came, and, God willing, as we shall return, with peace and hope for all mankind,” echoed the bittersweet reality of the concluding chapter of human lunar exploration.
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Eugene Cernan, the last man to walk on the moon, died Monday, Jan. 16, surrounded by his family.
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