APOLLO-17
S73-22871 (13 December 1972) — Scientist-astronaut Harrison H. Schmitt is photographed standing next to a huge, split lunar boulder during the third Apollo 17 Extravehicular Activity (EVA-3) at the Taurus-Littrow landing site. The Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV), which transported Schmitt and Eugene A. Cernan to this extravehicular station from their Lunar Module (LM), is seen in the background. The mosaic is made from two frames from Apollo 17 Hasselblad magazine 140. The two frames were photographed by Cernan.
We have identified the exact locations where the Apollo 17 astronauts acquired panoramic image sequences while they were on the lunar surface in December 1972. For this, we analyzed the historical (Hasselblad) astronaut images together with current high-resolution images from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC), which we generated into 3-D elevation models and geodetic maps. We used a traditional geodetic method to determine the astronauts’ positions during image acquisition by measuring the directions to lunar landmarks (control points) shown in their photographs. The positioned astronaut images were then used for further image analysis. Our cartographic analysis resulted in a map of the Taurus-Littrow valley covering the complete Apollo 17 exploration site, as well as a series of large-scale maps for all of the major geology stops.
CM and LM prepare to dock
“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.”…”Okej Jack, let’s get this motherfucker out of here.”
Eugene Cernan, entering LM for liftoff to CM
“it could be a balloon…it could be very fresh and clean…all these are the days my friends and these are the days.”
Christopher Knowles, Einstein on the Beach












