Heroes
Apollo 16 : Another Giant Leap for Mankind
IN APRIL 1972 , CHARLIE DUKE BECAME THE YOUNGEST MAN – AND JUST THE TENTH OF TWELVE MEN – TO EVER WALK ON THE MOON .
Charlie Duke , John Young , and Ken Mattingly pose with a lunar rover at the Kennedy Space Center
Twenty-four Americans journeyed to the moon in just four years – from 1968 to 1972 . Lunar exploration hit new heights during the last two of those four years , with extended stays on the moon , ambitious exploration on the surface and from orbit , and long journeys in electric powered rovers .
In April 1972 , Apollo 16 Lunar Module Pilot Charlie Duke became the youngest man , and just the tenth of twelve men , to ever walk on the Moon . The mission was NASA ’ s fifth , and second to last , successful effort to land astronauts on the lunar surface .
Apollo 16 also was NASA ’ s second scientific expedition of the Moon , during which time Duke logged 20.25 hours in extra-vehicular activities and collected 213 pounds of soil and geological samples . He took the only videos of the lunar rover “ in action ” as it skidded across the surface . Duke is also known for his crucial role as CAPCOM - Capsule Communicator - during the hair-raising Moon landing of Apollo 11 .
18 GBSAN . COM | MARCH 2022