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Last Man, First Scientist on the Moon

An interview with the only geologist to explore the moon's surface, Apollo 17 astronaut Harrison Schmitt. He shares his lunar experiences and hopes for future exploration.

Kevin Fong talks to one of the last two men on the Moon, 40 years after the final Apollo 17 mission blasted off on 7 December 1972. As an Apollo astronaut, Harrison Schmitt was special. He was was the only geologist ever to explore the lunar surface. The field work Dr Schmitt did, and the rocks he and his fellow astronauts brought back, revolutionised our understanding of the Moon and the Earth. Dr Schmitt also shares the human experience of running around another planet and explains why he thinks we should go back, and beyond.

The conversation also features archive recordings of the two Apollo 17 moon walkers, Schmitt and Commander Eugene Cernan talking from the lunar surface and Challenger module to NASA鈥檚 mission control in Houston in 1972.

Producer: Andrew Luck-Baker

Available now

18 minutes

Last on

Sun 9 Dec 2012 06:32GMT

Apollo 17 module, astronaut and rover/Astronauts Cernan and Schmitt, Taurus-Littrow valley

Apollo 17 module, astronaut and rover/Astronauts Cernan and Schmitt, Taurus-Littrow valley
Apollo 17 module, astronaut and rover/Astronauts Cernan and Schmitt, Taurus-Littrow valley

The Sculptured Hills of the Taurus Mountains

The Sculptured Hills of the Taurus Mountains
The Sculptured Hills of the Taurus Mountains

Broadcasts

  • Mon 3 Dec 2012 19:32GMT
  • Tue 4 Dec 2012 00:32GMT
  • Tue 4 Dec 2012 04:32GMT
  • Tue 4 Dec 2012 11:32GMT
  • Sun 9 Dec 2012 01:32GMT
  • Sun 9 Dec 2012 06:32GMT

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