Unforgettable Memories of the Last Person to Walk on the Moon
On December 14, 1972, astronaut Gene Cernan became the last human to walk on the moon. Cernan and his fellow astronaut, Harrison “Jack” Schmitt, were the last members of the Apollo 17 mission and marked the end of an era of human spaceflight to the moon. Cernan’s memories of this historic moment have remained with him throughout his life, and he has shared them with the world through his writings and interviews. This article will highlight some of the unforgettable memories of the last person to walk on the moon.
The Journey to the Moon
Cernan and Schmitt’s mission to the moon started on December 7, 1972, with the launch of the Apollo 17 spacecraft. The crew landed on the moon’s surface on December 11, and Cernan and Schmitt performed three moonwalks. One of Cernan’s most unforgettable memories of the journey to the moon was the view of the Earth from space. In an interview with NASA, he said, “When you’re going to the Moon, you’re leaving Earth. And when you turn around, the Earth is there, and it’s breathtaking.”
Walking on the Moon
Cernan and Schmitt spent a total of 22 hours on the moon’s surface, during which they collected rock and soil samples, conducted experiments, and explored the lunar terrain. One of Cernan’s most vivid memories of walking on the moon was the feeling of weightlessness. He said that the lack of gravity made him feel like he was “flying like superman.” He also recalled the difficulty of walking on the moon, as the bulky spacesuits made it challenging to move around freely.
The Lunar Rover
One of the most significant achievements of the Apollo 17 mission was the use of the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV). The LRV was a four-wheeled vehicle that allowed the astronauts to travel greater distances on the moon’s surface. Cernan and Schmitt drove the LRV over 30 kilometers during their moonwalks. Cernan’s most memorable moment with the LRV was when he drove it up a hill and saw the entire valley before him. He said, “It was like being on top of the world.”
Returning to Earth
After completing their moonwalks, Cernan and Schmitt returned to the Lunar Module and prepared to leave the moon’s surface. Before leaving, Cernan gave a now-famous farewell speech, saying, “As I take the last steps from the surface for some time to come, I’d just like to record that America’s challenge of today has forged man’s destiny of tomorrow.” Cernan’s most unforgettable memory of returning to Earth was watching the lunar module ascent stage liftoff from the moon’s surface. He said, “It was a feeling of leaving behind a place where no human has ever been before.”
Conclusion
Gene Cernan’s memories of the Apollo 17 mission and his last walk on the moon have remained with him throughout his life. His experiences and insights have provided important lessons for future generations of astronauts and space enthusiasts. Cernan’s unforgettable memories serve as a reminder that human space exploration is a continuous journey of discovery and wonder.
