In the early hours of December 7, 1972, history thundered into the Florida sky. At 12:33 a.m., a Saturn V rocket lifted off from Kennedy Space Center, carrying the crew of Apollo 17 on what would become the final mission of NASA’s Apollo program—and the most recent time humans have walked on the Moon.
Commander Gene Cernan, Lunar Module Pilot Harrison “Jack” Schmitt, and Command Module Pilot Ronald Evans were aboard for a mission that would cap an era of exploration defined by daring, discovery, and unforgettable firsts. As the rocket climbed skyward, nearly 500,000 spectators watched in person despite the late hour. Among them were legendary astronauts Neil Armstrong and Dick Gordon, as well as the colorful figure of Charlie Smith, a centenarian who claimed he was 130 years old at the time.
Science Takes Center Stage
Apollo 17 was unique in many ways, but perhaps most notably for its heavy emphasis on science. Harrison Schmitt made history as the only professional geologist to ever walk on the Moon, a decision driven by growing pressure to ensure scientific expertise on the lunar surface. For Schmitt, the Moon was not just a destination—it was a field site.
Even the command module carried experiments. A biological study included five mice—affectionately named Fe, Fi, Fo, Fum, and Phooey—implanted with radiation monitors to study the effects of cosmic rays. Four of the five survived the journey, and later analysis revealed only minimal radiation damage.
Orange Soil and Ancient Volcanoes
One of the mission’s most electrifying moments came when Schmitt spotted something unexpected: orange soil on the lunar surface. Scientists at Mission Control erupted with excitement, initially suspecting the discovery of a volcanic vent. While later analysis showed the soil was formed by ancient volcanic eruptions more than 3.5 billion years ago, the find remains one of Apollo 17’s most iconic scientific achievements.
The Blue Marble
On the journey to the Moon, the crew turned their cameras back toward home. From about 18,300 miles away, they captured an image of Earth stretching from the Mediterranean Sea to Antarctica. That photograph—now known as “The Blue Marble”—became one of the most reproduced and recognizable images in history, forever changing how humanity sees its planet.
Record-Breaking Exploration
Apollo 17 pushed the limits of human spaceflight, setting records that still stand today:
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Longest crewed lunar mission: 12 days, 14 hours
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Longest time on the lunar surface: 75 hours
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Longest lunar EVA time: 22 hours, 4 minutes
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Greatest distance traveled on foot during an EVA: 4.7 miles
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Largest lunar sample return: ~254 pounds
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Longest time in lunar orbit: 6 days, 4 hours
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Greatest number of lunar orbits: 75
It was also Gene Cernan’s third and final spaceflight, and when he climbed back into the lunar module, he became the last human to walk on the Moon—a title he would hold for decades.
After the Moon
Following their return, the Apollo 17 crew embarked on an extensive goodwill tour, visiting 29 states and 11 countries. Their public appearances began at Super Bowl VII, where they led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. None of the three astronauts would fly in space again.
Today, the Apollo 17 Command Module is on display at Space Center Houston, while Gene Cernan’s flown spacesuit resides at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum—quiet reminders of a bold chapter in human history.
The End of an Era—and a New Beginning
Despite the triumphs of Apollo, public interest in lunar exploration gradually faded. The space race had been won, NASA’s budget shrank, and attention shifted to programs like Skylab and the Space Shuttle. Yet the story doesn’t end there. More than 50 years later, the Moon is calling once again. With NASA’s Artemis program aiming to return astronauts to the lunar surface in the coming years, the legacy of Apollo 17 lives on.
This Throwback Thursday, we remember December 1972—not just as the end of an era, but as a reminder of what humanity can achieve when curiosity, courage, and commitment align. 🌕🚀