Apollo
Apollo 17
Apollo 17 was the sixth and final crewed lunar landing mission of the Apollo Program. Carrying the only professional geologist to walk on the Moon, the crew completed the longest surface stay, drove the Lunar Roving Vehicle farther than any previous mission, returned the largest collection of lunar samples, and concluded humanity's first era of lunar exploration.
Launch
December 7, 1972
Duration
12 days, 13 hours, 51 minutes, 59 seconds
Crew
Uncrewed
Mission record
Apollo archive entry · Successful
Mission Overview
The mission
Apollo 17 was the sixth and final crewed lunar landing mission of the Apollo Program. Carrying the only professional geologist to walk on the Moon, the crew completed the longest surface stay, drove the Lunar Roving Vehicle farther than any previous mission, returned the largest collection of lunar samples, and concluded humanity's first era of lunar exploration.
Mission Details
Program
Apollo
Launch
December 7, 1972
Duration
12 days, 13 hours, 51 minutes, 59 seconds
Status
Successful
Mission by the Numbers
Mission Statistics
Mission Type
Extended Crewed Lunar Exploration
Launch Vehicle
Saturn V AS-512
Crew
0 astronauts
Status
Successful
Mission Goals
Mission objectives
- 01
Complete the sixth crewed lunar landing.
- 02
Conduct the final Apollo lunar exploration mission.
- 03
Explore the Taurus-Littrow Valley.
- 04
Carry the first professional geologist to the Moon.
- 05
Complete three extended lunar EVAs.
- 06
Operate the Lunar Roving Vehicle.
- 07
Deploy the Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package (ALSEP).
- 08
Investigate volcanic and impact geology.
- 09
Collect representative lunar rock and soil samples.
- 10
Study landslides, mountain massifs, and volcanic deposits.
- 11
Conduct orbital scientific mapping using the Scientific Instrument Module.
- 12
Perform a deep-space EVA during the return journey.
- 13
Return the largest collection of lunar samples in Apollo history.
- 14
Expand understanding of lunar evolution.
- 15
Conclude the Apollo lunar exploration program.
Mission Timeline
December 7, 1972 · 12:33 a.m. EST
Launch
Apollo 17 launched aboard Saturn V AS-512 from Kennedy Space Center, becoming the only night launch of the Apollo Program.
Earth Orbit
Parking Orbit
Following a flawless ascent, Apollo 17 entered temporary Earth orbit before Mission Control approved the translunar injection burn.
Trans-Lunar Injection
Departure for the Moon
The S-IVB third stage accelerated Apollo 17 onto its trajectory toward the Taurus-Littrow Valley.
Deep Space
The Blue Marble
While traveling toward the Moon, the crew photographed the fully illuminated Earth. The resulting image, later named 'The Blue Marble,' became one of the most famous photographs ever taken.
Cruise Phase
Journey Through Deep Space
The crew completed navigation updates, television broadcasts, spacecraft inspections, and scientific observations during the three-day journey to the Moon.
December 10, 1972
Lunar Orbit Insertion
Apollo 17 entered lunar orbit, allowing Ronald Evans to begin orbital mapping while preparations for the landing continued.
December 11, 1972
Challenger Separates
Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt entered the Lunar Module Challenger and undocked from Ronald Evans aboard the Command Module America.
Powered Descent
Landing Begins
Challenger began its powered descent toward Taurus-Littrow, one of the most scientifically valuable landing sites selected during Apollo.
December 11, 1972
Landing at Taurus-Littrow
Challenger landed successfully in the Taurus-Littrow Valley, beginning the final human exploration of the Moon during the Apollo era.
Surface Operations
Preparing for EVA-1
Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt configured Challenger for surface operations, activated their Portable Life Support Systems, and prepared for the first moonwalk of humanity's final Apollo landing mission.
EVA-1
Deploying the Lunar Rover
The astronauts deployed the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV), allowing them to travel farther than any previous Apollo crew while exploring the Taurus-Littrow Valley.
First Moonwalk
ALSEP Deployment
Cernan and Schmitt installed the Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package (ALSEP), deploying instruments that would continue monitoring the Moon for years after the mission ended.
Taurus-Littrow Valley
Initial Geological Survey
The crew began investigating boulders, mountain slopes, and ancient impact deposits surrounding the landing site, documenting one of the Moon's most complex geological regions.
Second EVA
Discovery of Orange Soil
While exploring Shorty Crater, Harrison Schmitt discovered the famous Orange Soil, evidence of explosive volcanic eruptions that occurred billions of years ago. The discovery became one of the Apollo Program's most important geological findings.
Station 6
Tracy's Rock
The astronauts investigated a massive split boulder later nicknamed Tracy's Rock, collecting samples that helped reveal the history of the surrounding mountains.
Third EVA
Record Rover Traverse
Using the Lunar Rover, Cernan and Schmitt completed the longest traverse of the Apollo Program, exploring multiple geological stations while collecting an unprecedented quantity of lunar samples.
Final Surface Activities
Closing Experiments
Before departing, the astronauts completed panoramic photography, documented the landing site, gathered final core samples, and prepared Challenger for ascent.
The Final Footsteps
Leaving the Moon
As Eugene Cernan climbed the Lunar Module ladder, he spoke humanity's final words from the lunar surface, expressing hope that future generations would one day return in peace and hope for all mankind.
December 14, 1972
Lunar Liftoff
Challenger successfully lifted off from Taurus-Littrow, ending humanity's most recent visit to the lunar surface.
Lunar Orbit
Docking with America
Cernan and Schmitt rendezvoused with Ronald Evans aboard America, transferring themselves, equipment, and the largest collection of lunar samples ever returned.
Trans-Earth Injection
Journey Home
Apollo 17 departed lunar orbit after deploying a scientific subsatellite to continue studying the Moon from orbit.
Deep Space EVA
Film Retrieval
Ronald Evans performed a deep-space EVA during the return journey, retrieving film cassettes from the Scientific Instrument Module (SIM) bay while nearly 300,000 kilometers from Earth.
December 19, 1972
Splashdown
Apollo 17 safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, concluding both the mission and the Apollo lunar landing program.
Mission Complete
The End of Apollo
Apollo 17 concluded humanity's first era of lunar exploration after six successful Moon landings, leaving footprints that remain undisturbed more than five decades later.
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