Apollo 17 Astronauts Share Moonwalk Insights and Advice with NASA’s Artemis II Crew

When it comes to advice for the four NASA astronauts poised to embark on their lunar voyage this Wednesday, Harrison Schmidt is undoubtedly the expert you want to hear from.

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At 90 years old, Schmidt made history when he walked on the moon during Apollo 17 in 1972, the last human mission to our lunar neighbor.

NASA’s Artemis II mission is set to launch on Wednesday at 6:24 PM, marking a new chapter in lunar exploration. The mission aims to orbit the moon, paving the way for a future landing in 2028, mirroring Apollo 8’s pivotal role for Apollo 11.

According to Schmidt, the Artemis II astronauts will encounter many of the surreal vistas he experienced over fifty years ago.

“Every day, every hour, every minute is a new experience,” Schmidt remarked in an interview with NBC News.

To the Artemis II team, Schmidt advises: “Train well. Be prepared for the unexpected. But most importantly, have fun.”

Since the days of Apollo 17, much has changed. At that time, Schmidt and the crew were entrenched in a space race against the Soviet Union, whereas NASA is now in competition with China, which has its sights set on landing astronauts on the moon by 2030.

The Apollo 17 crew spent nearly 13 days in space, including three on the moon, traveling 30 kilometers on the lunar rover, the furthest any crew has gone, while collecting a record-breaking 243 pounds of geological samples.

Schmidt recounts the unforgettable experience of entering lunar orbit in darkness on the moon’s far side, shielded from Earth’s view.

“As we were landing on the east side of the moon with the sun barely peeking over the horizon, stepping into that incredible darkness was surreal. The moon was visibly illuminated by Earth’s light, casting a beautiful bluish hue,” Schmidt reminisced.

The Artemis II astronauts will have an unprecedented view of the moon’s far side.

“We’ve discovered that roughly 60% of the far side has never been seen by human eyes due to its lighting conditions,” remarked Reed Wiseman, the Artemis II mission commander. “Apollo focused on lighting for landings on the near side, but this moonwalk offers a different perspective. It’s truly remarkable.”

Following Apollo 17’s conclusion, the U.S. shifted its focus away from sustaining a human presence on the moon. The 1970s budget cuts led to the cancellation of further Apollo missions, prompting a priority shift toward the space station.

Unlike the Apollo missions, NASA’s Artemis program intends to establish a sustainable lunar presence, laying the groundwork for future missions to Mars.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if we see people live on the moon for months or even years within our lifetime,” Schmidt expressed. “Mars is within our reach, and we will continue pushing forward.”

What fuels his optimism? “As humans, exploration is ingrained in our nature,” Schmidt asserted.

“From our origins in Africa to the present, the drive to explore and expand is deeply embedded within us,” he concludes.

As Apollo 17 ventured away from the moon, Commander Gene Cernan remarked: “We depart just as we came; with God’s will, we will return carrying peace and hope for all mankind.”

If everything goes according to plan, Artemis II will be a significant stride in that journey. By the mission’s sixth day, the crew expects to come within just 6,000 miles of the moon’s surface, potentially reaching farther from Earth than any human has traveled before.

“This mission is essential for our nation,” Schmidt asserts. “China is clearly vying for space control, just as it is on Earth. Thus, this national initiative must be executed effectively.”