The ins and outs of the final Moon mission
Apollo 17 was the final mission of the United States Apollo program, the series of flights that would eventually land the first humans on the moon. It was not originally going to be the last, but rather have a few more missions succeeding it, but these were eventually cancelled.
Apollo 17 was launched on the 7th of December 1972 at 12:33 a.m., the early hour also making it the one and only night-time launch.
The primary scientific goals of the flight were: Sampling and surveying the area surrounding the landing site; Deploying and activating experiments; Performing in-flight experiments and taking photographs. During EVA,
(extra-vehicular activity), the astronauts were assisted by the LRV (Lunar Roving Vehicle).
A total of 3 EVAs were performed over the time span of 3 days
The mission lasted a total of 12 days, 13 hours and 52 minutes.
Apollo 17 was launched on the 7th of December 1972 at 12:33 a.m., the early hour also making it the one and only night-time launch.
The primary scientific goals of the flight were: Sampling and surveying the area surrounding the landing site; Deploying and activating experiments; Performing in-flight experiments and taking photographs. During EVA,
(extra-vehicular activity), the astronauts were assisted by the LRV (Lunar Roving Vehicle).
A total of 3 EVAs were performed over the time span of 3 days
The mission lasted a total of 12 days, 13 hours and 52 minutes.
Mission PatchThe mission patch is a unique symbol assigned to any particular space flight to mark and represent that operation. This particular mission patch is dominated by a large image of the greek god Apollo, god of the sun, and the deity that the USA space missions were named after. Behind it is a contemporary drawing of an eagle, a national american symbol, with 4 stripes and 3 stars adorning its wing. The stripes represent the ones on the American flag, and the stars represent the 3 crew members, whose surnames are also written around the edge of the patch. The presence of the colour gold points out that it is the golden age of space flight. The fact the eagle is partially covering the picture of the moon means that man has been there, and “conquered” it, and with the eagles gaze is towards saturn, and the galaxy, implying that these are all possible goals for the future.
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