From point A to point B, and everythig in-between
Like Apollo 15 and Apollo 16, Apollo 17 was put down as a "J-mission," an Apollo mission type that featured a total time on the surface of 3 days, higher scientific capability, and the usage of the Lunar Roving Vehicle. Since Apollo 17 was the last mission, many landing sites that had not been previously explored were taken into consideration. After a whole load of rejected locations, NASA eventually settled on the Taurus-Littrow crater as the landing area.
Just like previous moon landings, the Apollo 17 astronauts endured an extensive training program that included training to collect rocks on the surface, usage of the spacesuits, piloting the Lunar Roving Vehicle, geology training, survival training, splashdown training, and equipment training.
Just like previous moon landings, the Apollo 17 astronauts endured an extensive training program that included training to collect rocks on the surface, usage of the spacesuits, piloting the Lunar Roving Vehicle, geology training, survival training, splashdown training, and equipment training.
Apollo 17 was launched at 12:33 am EST on December 7, 1972, from launch pad 39-A at the Kennedy Space Centre.
The launch was delayed by two hours and forty minutes because of an automatic but accidental cutoff in the launch sequencer at the T-30 second point in the countdown. The clock was reset and set to the T-22 minute mark while technicians found a workaround to the malfunction in order to continue with the launch. The count resumed and the rocket lifted off achieving a normal low Earth orbit. |
^ Kennedy Space Centre ^ |
About 500,000 people were estimated to have observed the launch from next to Kennedy Space Centre despite the fact it was so early. The launch was visible as far away as 800 km; onlookers in Miami, Florida, saw a "red streak" crossing the sky.
At 3:46 am EST, the rocket re-ignited to propel the spacecraft towards the moon.
At 3:46 am EST, the rocket re-ignited to propel the spacecraft towards the moon.
^ Diagram Showing Movement and Orbital Manoeuvres During Flight ^
At approximately 2:47 pm EST on December 10, the rockets fired one last time to put the ship into lunar orbit. Following orbit insertion and stabilisation, the crew began landing preparations.
After separating from the Command/Service Module, the Lunar Module Challenger and its crew of two, Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt, adjusted their orbit. While Cernan and Schmitt prepared for landing, Ron Evans stayed in orbit to take photographs, perform experiments and wait for the return of his crew-mates a few days later.
Soon after completing their preparations for landing, Cernan and Schmitt began their descent. Several minutes after this phase was initiated, the Lunar Module pitched over, giving the crew their first look at the landing site, and allowing Cernan to guide the spacecraft to good postion while Schmitt provided data from the flight computer that was essential for landing.
The LM touched down on the lunar surface at 2:55 pm EST on December 11. Shortly afterwards, the two astronauts began re-configuring the LM for their stay on the surface and began to prepare for the first moonwalk of the mission, or EVA-1.
The first moonwalk (EVA) of the mission began approximately four hours after landing, at about 6:55 pm on December 11. The first task of the lunar excursion was to offload the Lunar Roving Vehicle and some other equipment from the Lunar Module. While working near the rover, a fender was accidentally broken off when Gene Cernan brushed up against it. This was not critical, but it meant the crew would get sprayed with dust, decreasing visibility. They fixed it up with duct tape, but this didn't last and was only a temporary solution.
Using the rover for transport, the crew then deployed ALSEP, a scientific package designed to run automated experiments, and collected 14 kilograms of geological rock samples. The crew also deployed two explosive packages both to access rock samples from underground, and to test seismic sensors set up by other Apollo missions.
The EVA ended after seven hours and twelve minutes.
After separating from the Command/Service Module, the Lunar Module Challenger and its crew of two, Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt, adjusted their orbit. While Cernan and Schmitt prepared for landing, Ron Evans stayed in orbit to take photographs, perform experiments and wait for the return of his crew-mates a few days later.
Soon after completing their preparations for landing, Cernan and Schmitt began their descent. Several minutes after this phase was initiated, the Lunar Module pitched over, giving the crew their first look at the landing site, and allowing Cernan to guide the spacecraft to good postion while Schmitt provided data from the flight computer that was essential for landing.
The LM touched down on the lunar surface at 2:55 pm EST on December 11. Shortly afterwards, the two astronauts began re-configuring the LM for their stay on the surface and began to prepare for the first moonwalk of the mission, or EVA-1.
The first moonwalk (EVA) of the mission began approximately four hours after landing, at about 6:55 pm on December 11. The first task of the lunar excursion was to offload the Lunar Roving Vehicle and some other equipment from the Lunar Module. While working near the rover, a fender was accidentally broken off when Gene Cernan brushed up against it. This was not critical, but it meant the crew would get sprayed with dust, decreasing visibility. They fixed it up with duct tape, but this didn't last and was only a temporary solution.
Using the rover for transport, the crew then deployed ALSEP, a scientific package designed to run automated experiments, and collected 14 kilograms of geological rock samples. The crew also deployed two explosive packages both to access rock samples from underground, and to test seismic sensors set up by other Apollo missions.
The EVA ended after seven hours and twelve minutes.
On December 12, at 6:28 pm EST, Cernan and Schmitt began their second lunar excursion.The first task of the EVA was to repair the right-rear fender on the LRV, which had been broken off the previous day. The pair did this by taping together four stiff maps of the lunar surface with duct tape, and clamping the replacement fender extension onto the fender base, providing a method of preventing dust from raining down on them while driving. During this EVA, the pair sampled several different types of geologic deposits found in the valley, including the avalanche at the base of the South Massif, orange-colored soil at Shorty crater, and ejecta of Camelot crater. The crew completed this moonwalk after seven hours and thirty-seven minutes. In total, they collected 34 kilograms (75 lb) of samples, and deployed three more explosive packages.
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^ Schmitt Collecting Rock Samples During EVA 2 ^ |
The third moonwalk, the last of the Apollo program, began at 5:26 pm EST on December 13. During this excursion, the crew collected a total of 66 kilograms of lunar samples. They drove the rover to the north and east of the landing site and explored some local landmarks. Before ending the moonwalk, the crew collected a rock, and dedicated it to several different countries which were represented in Mission Control Centre at the time. A plaque located that had been brought on the LM, honouring the progress and achievements made during the Apollo program, was then unveiled. Before entering the LM for the final time, Gene Cernan said this:
"...I'm on the surface; and, as I take man's last step from the surface, back home for some time to come - but we believe not too long into the future - I'd like to just [say] what I believe history will record. That America's challenge of today has forged man's destiny of tomorrow. And, as we leave the Moon at Taurus-Littrow, we leave as we came and, God willing, as we shall return, with peace and hope for all mankind. "Godspeed the crew of Apollo 17."
Cernan then followed Schmitt back onto the LM, after spending approximately seven hours and five minutes on the surface.
Cernan and Schmitt successfully made it off the surface in the ascent stage of the Lunar Module on December 14, at 5:55 pm EST. After a successful rendezvous and docking with Ron Evans in the Command/Service Module in orbit, the crew transferred equipment and lunar samples between the LM and the CSM, ready for the long trip back to Earth. Following this, the LM ascent stage was sealed off and jettisoned at 1:31 am on December 15. The ascent stage was then deliberately crashed into the Moon in a collision that was recorded by the seismometers on the surface.
During the trip back on December the 17th, at 3:27 pm EST, Cernan successfully conducted a one-hour and seven-minute spacewalk to retrieve exposed film on the outside of the vessel.
On December the 19th, the crew jettisoned the now useless service module, leaving nothing but the command module headed towards earth. The module entered Earth's atmosphere and landed safely in the pacific ocean at 2:25 pm 6.5 kilometres from the recovery ship. Cernan, Evans and Schmitt were collected by helicopter and safely aboard 52 minutes after landing.
Cernan and Schmitt successfully made it off the surface in the ascent stage of the Lunar Module on December 14, at 5:55 pm EST. After a successful rendezvous and docking with Ron Evans in the Command/Service Module in orbit, the crew transferred equipment and lunar samples between the LM and the CSM, ready for the long trip back to Earth. Following this, the LM ascent stage was sealed off and jettisoned at 1:31 am on December 15. The ascent stage was then deliberately crashed into the Moon in a collision that was recorded by the seismometers on the surface.
During the trip back on December the 17th, at 3:27 pm EST, Cernan successfully conducted a one-hour and seven-minute spacewalk to retrieve exposed film on the outside of the vessel.
On December the 19th, the crew jettisoned the now useless service module, leaving nothing but the command module headed towards earth. The module entered Earth's atmosphere and landed safely in the pacific ocean at 2:25 pm 6.5 kilometres from the recovery ship. Cernan, Evans and Schmitt were collected by helicopter and safely aboard 52 minutes after landing.