[APOLLO 17] LMP HARRISON SCHMITT ON THE LUNAR SURFACE. VINTAGE NASA "RED NUMBER" PHOTOGRAPH, 12 DECEMBER 1972.

The Vintage NASA Photo Collection of Philip Kulpa

[APOLLO 17]

LUNAR MODULE PILOT HARRISON SCHMITT ON THE LUNAR SURFACE. 12 DECEMBER 1972.

Vintage NASA “Red Number” chromogenic color photograph, 10 by 8 inches, “This Paper Manufactured by Kodak” watermark to verso. NASA image ID “AS17-146-2229” printed in upper left margin in red; minor toning.

Harrison Schmitt became the first member of NASA's Astronaut Group 4 to fly in space. Group 4 (also known as "The Scientists) was unique in that it was the was the first chosen on the basis of research and academic qualifications: a Ph.D. or an M.D. in engineering or the natural sciences was a prerequisite for selection. NASA then provided the necessary pilot training. Schmitt—a geologist—remains the only professional scientist to have flown beyond low Earth orbit, and to have visited the Moon.