Who went to the moon second? This question has intrigued many since the historic event of human space exploration. The second humans to walk on the lunar surface were the crew of Apollo 17, a mission that marked the final lunar landing of the Apollo program.
The Apollo 17 mission, launched on December 7, 1972, was the sixth and last crewed mission to land on the moon. The crew consisted of Commander Eugene A. Cernan, Lunar Module Pilot Harrison H. Schmitt, and Command Module Pilot Ronald E. Evans. Their mission was to conduct a variety of scientific experiments and collect samples of lunar material.
Eugene A. Cernan, who was born on March 14, 1934, in Chicago, Illinois, was the last human to walk on the moon. He had previously served as the Command Module Pilot for Apollo 10, the first mission to orbit the moon but not land on it. On Apollo 17, Cernan and Schmitt spent 75 hours on the lunar surface, conducting experiments and collecting samples.
Harrison H. Schmitt, born on June 3, 1935, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, was a geologist by training. He was the first scientist to walk on the moon and conducted extensive geological studies during the mission. Schmitt’s expertise in geology was invaluable for understanding the moon’s composition and history.
The Apollo 17 mission was significant for several reasons. Firstly, it was the longest lunar landing mission, with the crew spending three days on the moon’s surface. Secondly, it was the last time humans would set foot on the lunar surface for over 50 years. Lastly, the mission was a testament to the ingenuity and determination of the human spirit, as it represented the culmination of years of hard work and technological advancements.
The Apollo 17 mission was a pinnacle of human achievement, and the crew’s contributions to science and exploration continue to inspire generations. While the question of who went to the moon second may seem simple, it is a reminder of the incredible journey humanity has undertaken in the pursuit of knowledge and discovery.
