Eugene Cernan or Harrison Schmitt

The command module America before docking with the LM challenger in lunar orbit

Apollo 17, December 7-19, 1972, orbit 52, 189:55:00 GET

Vintage photograph with red NASA MSC number “AS17-145-22254” with “A Kodak Paper” watermarks and a caption taped to the verso.
20.3 x 25.4cm (8 x 10in)

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Lot Essay

Apollo 17 Command Module named the America as seen from the Lunar Module called the Challenger shows an excellent view of the orbital experiment bay.

From the LM Challenger, the last men on the Moon Cernan and Schmitt could inspect and photograph the Command Module including its SIM Bay with the 60mm lens before docking for the homeward journey to Earth.
The 33-km Crater Auzout is in the foreground and the 48-km Crater Condorcet P is in the background 110 km below. Latitude / longitude: 11°N 64.5° E.

Eugene Cernan described his feelings: “When we got back in that Command Module, we were home. Never mind that we were in lunar orbit, it was home” (Chaikin, Voices, p. 117).

189:55:00 Mission Control: Challenger, America, that’s good on the inspection from questions from here, anyway. Clear to continue and proceed with docking.
189:55:12 Evans: Okay.