Harrison Schmitt

Lunarscapes seen during the traverse from station 8 to Van Serg Crater’s station 9

Apollo 17, December 7-19, 1972, EVA 3, 167:37:50 to 167:51:54 GET

Nine unreleased photographs, vintage gelatin silver prints on fiber-based paper, each 20.3 x 25.4cm (8 x 10in), numbered “NASA AS17-142-21747, AS17-142-21750, AS17-142-21757, AS17-142-21764, AS17-142-21767, AS17-142-21769, AS17-142-21774, AS17-142-21779, AS17-142-21789” (NASA MSC) in black in top margin
20.3 x 25.4cm (8 x 10in)

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Lot Essay

Harrison Schmitt’s view of the Moon as he rode in his right-hand seat on the lunar rover.

In the foreground is the rover’s television camera, which could be remotely controlled from Earth to relay the astronauts’ activities to the world. In Houston, Schmitt’s scientific colleagues used the camera to monitor Apollo 17’s explorations, offering information and advice to the two moonwalkers.

“Driving on the Moon was the ultimate off-road experience. The Lunar Rover handled steep inclines, crater potholes, and loose rocks very well, its design proving effective even in the one-sixth gravity, which would have allowed a taller vehicle to roll over easily” (Reynolds, p. 201).

The South Massif; Bear mountain and the East Massif; West and Old Family Mountain; the South Massif; Cochise Crater in front of the South Massif and West Family Mountain; the East Massif; Bear Mountain and the South Massif; Cochise Crater in front of the North Massif; and ejectas of Van Serg Crater in front of the South Massif are visible.

167:43:36 Schmitt: Ah, look at Cochise.
167:43:37 Cernan: That’s Cochise!
167:43:38 Parker: Roger. We think you’re coming up on Cochise.
167:43:39 Cernan: Get yourself a couple pictures while you’re looking right at it. [...]
167:50:23 Cernan: This Rover is getting tested for what it was built for now.
167:50:26 Schmitt: Yeh. (Pause)
167:50:35 Cernan: I tell you it handles just the way as advertised, maybe even better.