[Apollo 17]

Apollo 17 launched on December 7, 1972, with Gene Cernan as its commander. Before reentering the LM for the final time, Gene Cernan expressed his thoughts thus: "as I take man's last step from the surface, back home for some time to come...I'd like to just [say] what I believe history will record. That America's challenge of today has forged man's destiny of tomorrow. And, as we leave the Moon at Taurus-Littrow, we leave as we came and, God willing, as we shall return, with peace and hope for all mankind." His sentiments are captured in his inscription on the present photograph. 

Apollo 17 was the last and the longest chapter of the Apollo program, lasting a total of 12 days and 14 hours, with 75 hours spent on the lunar surface. The mission garnered a number of record-setting achievements. These included three EVAs totaling about 22 hours of exploration of the Taurus-Littrow valley. Mission Commander Cernan and Lunar Module Pilot Schmitt covered that 22 miles using the Lunar Rover and collected a record 75 pounds of geologic samples. Cernan piloted the Rover on its final run, during which he clocked a maximum speed of 11.2 mph, giving him the (unofficial) lunar land speed record.  

As Cernan boarded the LM Challenger, he became the last man to walk on the Moon.