Fri December 7, 2012 Is Another Moon Mission Written In The
Stars? Originally published on Fri December 7, 2012 8:23 am On
Dec. 7, 1972, NASA launched its final human mission to the moon.
Forty years later, Apollo 17 commander Eugene Cernan says he'd
love to give up his claim to fame as "the last man on the moon."
"I'd like to be able to shake the hand of that young man or
young woman who replaces me in that category," Cernan told NPR.
"But unfortunately, the way things have gone and the way things
are looking for the future, at least the near-term future, that
won't happen in my lifetime. And that truly is disappointing."
As he prepared to take his final steps off the moon, Cernan said
"we leave as we came, and, God willing, as we shall return: with
peace and hope for all mankind." "And I think God is still
willing and do believe we will return," Cernan said this week.
"I just didn't think the timetable would be as long as it is."
His crewmate and fellow Apollo 17 moonwalker, Harrison Schmitt,
feels the same