Apollo 17 marked a historic conclusion to the Apollo lunar programme when astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt became the last humans to walk on the Moon. Their mission, launched in December 1972, not only closed a defining chapter in human space exploration but also delivered some of the most valuable geological and scientific findings of the era.
Mission overview
Apollo 17, the sixth successful Moon-landing mission, was designed as a deep scientific expedition to the Taurus-Littrow Valley. The crew consisted of Commander Eugene Cernan, Lunar Module Pilot Harrison Schmitt and Command Module Pilot Ronald Evans. Schmitt, a trained geologist, was the only scientist ever to walk on the lunar surface, shaping the mission’s scientific ambition and sampling strategy.
The final moonwalks
Cernan and Schmitt conducted three extravehicular activities during their stay on the surface. They travelled several kilometres using the Lunar Roving Vehicle and collected more than 100 kilograms of lunar material. Their geological work provided unprecedented insight into the Moon’s volcanic history, impact cratering and surface evolution. On 14 December 1972, Cernan became the last person to leave the lunar surface, offering a reflective remark about humanity’s future return.
Scientific legacy
Apollo 17 produced groundbreaking data, including high-value rock samples and seismic measurements. The mission also deployed advanced experiments that continued transmitting information long after the crew returned home. Many of the samples collected remain essential to understanding the Moon’s early formation and its relationship to Earth’s geological history.
A long pause in human lunar exploration
Despite the mission’s success, budgetary pressures and shifting political priorities brought an end to the Apollo programme. No humans have walked on the Moon since Apollo 17, leaving Cernan and Schmitt as the last individuals to stand on the lunar surface. Their work continues to shape modern lunar science and influence current exploration plans.
Newshub Editorial in North America – 2025-12-11
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