Apollo 17: The Hidden Jewel of the U.S. Lunar Space Program

TLDRApollo 17, the final lunar mission of NASA's Apollo program, was a mission of superlatives. The crew spent three days on the lunar surface, breaking records with their moon walks and covering a greater distance than any other mission. However, public interest had waned, and Apollo 17 did not receive the recognition it deserved. Nevertheless, the mission was a scientific triumph, providing significant insights into the moon and the early solar system.

Key insights

🚀Apollo 17 was the most productive lunar mission of the entire Apollo program, with the crew spending three days on the lunar surface and conducting extensive scientific experiments.

🌕The crew of Apollo 17 broke multiple records, including the longest moon walk duration and the greatest distance covered on the lunar surface.

🌍The iconic 'Blue Marble' photograph, taken during Apollo 17, brought global attention to the beauty and fragility of our planet Earth.

👨‍🚀Astronaut Harrison Schmitt, a geologist, became the first and only scientist astronaut to walk on the moon during the Apollo program.

🌑Despite its groundbreaking achievements, Apollo 17 did not receive the public recognition it deserved, marking the end of an era in lunar exploration.

Q&A

What records did Apollo 17 break?

Apollo 17 broke records for the longest moon walk duration and the greatest distance covered on the lunar surface.

Who was the scientist astronaut on Apollo 17?

Harrison Schmitt, a geologist, became the first and only scientist astronaut to walk on the moon during the Apollo program.

What was the significance of the 'Blue Marble' photograph?

The 'Blue Marble' photograph, taken during Apollo 17, brought global attention to the beauty and fragility of our planet Earth.

Why did Apollo 17 not receive the recognition it deserved?

Public interest had waned after multiple lunar missions, resulting in a lack of recognition for Apollo 17's groundbreaking achievements.

What marked the end of the Apollo program?

Apollo 17 was the final lunar mission of NASA's Apollo program.

Timestamped Summary

00:07Apollo 17 was the final lunar mission of NASA's Apollo program, launched on December 7, 1972.

02:23Despite its groundbreaking achievements, Apollo 17 did not receive the public recognition it deserved, marking the end of an era in lunar exploration.

15:45The iconic 'Blue Marble' photograph, taken during Apollo 17, brought global attention to the beauty and fragility of our planet Earth.

17:12Apollo 17 landed in the Taurus-Littrow region, close to the edge of an impact basin formed billions of years ago.

13:49Apollo 17's landing site, Taurus-Littrow, was of great geological significance, providing valuable insights into the moon and the early solar system.

07:41Apollo 17 broke multiple records, including the longest moon walk duration and the greatest distance covered on the lunar surface.

09:53Astronaut Harrison Schmitt, a geologist, became the first and only scientist astronaut to walk on the moon during the Apollo program.

08:55Apollo 17's crew spent three days on the lunar surface, conducting extensive scientific experiments and making significant discoveries.