Lunar & Planetary In: EVA 2 [Second Extra-Vehicular Activity route during Apollo 17 Mission, 1972]
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Cartographer:
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Lunar & Planetary In
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Title:
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EVA 2 [Second Extra-Vehicular Activity route during Apollo 17 Mission, 1972]
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Date:
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c. 1972
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Published:
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USA
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Width:
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10 inches / 26 cm
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Height:
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8 inches / 21 cm
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Map ref:
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CELEST1190
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Description:
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This unusual sketch map transparency shows the second EVA (extra vehicular activity) of the Apollo 17 mission, which took place on 12th December 1972, at 6:28 pm EST and carried out by Commander Eugen Cernan (1934-2017) and geologist and Lunar Module Pilot Harrison Schmitt (born 1935).
One of the first tasks of the EVA was repairing the right-rear fender on the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV), the
rearward extension of which had been broken off the previous day. The pair did this by taping together
four cronopaque maps with duct tape and clamping the replacement fender extension to the fender, thus
providing a means of preventing dust from raining down upon them while in motion.
During this EVA, Cernan and Schmitt sampled several different types of geologic deposits found in the valley, including the avalanche at the base of the South Massif, orange-coloured soil at Shorty crater, and ejecta of Camelot crater.
This penultimate moonwalk took seven hours and thirty-seven minutes. They collected 34 kilograms (75 lb)
of samples, deployed three more explosive packages and took seven gravimeter measurements.
A plaque located on the Lunar Module commemorating the achievements made during the Apollo program, was then
unveiled. Before re-entering the Lunar Module for the final time the following day (13th Dec 1972), Gene Cernan expressed his thoughts;
... as I take man's last step from the surface, back home for some time to come - but we believe not too long
into the future - I'd like to just [say] what I believe history will record. That America's challenge of today has
forged man's destiny of tomorrow. And, as we leave the Moon at Taurus-Littrow, we leave as we came and,
God willing, as we shall return, with peace and hope for all mankind. "Godspeed the crew of Apollo 17."
The Apollo 17 Lunar Roving Vehicle travelled approximately 35.9 km (22.3 mi) in a total drive time of
about four hours and twenty-six minutes; the greatest distance Cernan and Schmitt travelled from the lunar module was about 7.6 km (4.7 mi).
Manuscript map on transparency produced by the Lunar and Planetary Institute. Printed colour underlay.
Framed dimensions 12 x 10 x 3 inches. [CELEST1190] |