[Apollo 17]

Stunning 8 1/2 by 3 ¾ foot mosaic composed of 21 photographs from the Apollo 17 ITEK panoramic camera, which was installed in the Scientific Instrument Module (SIM) bay 1 of the Service Module. These images were taken on Revolution 62 of the CSM and features Crater Tsiolkovsky and the adjacent highlands. A17 Lunar Module Pilot Harrison Schmitt, along with other scientists, had advocated for Tsiolkovsky as a landing site for his mission as the significant differences of the Moon’s far side would have made the mission of higher scientific value, but it was deemed too risky as a communication relay would have had to have been established. 

The 24-inch-focal-length optical bar panoramic camera designed and manufactured by ITEK Optical Systems Division was based on the company’s KA-80A photo reconnaissance camera that was used by the U.S. Air Force. Essentially, it was a repurposed spy camera. 

Individual image numbers are: AS17-P-2810; 2808; 2806; 2804; 2802; 2800; 2798; 2796; 2794; 2792; 2790; 2788; 2786; 2784; 2782; 2780; 2778; 2776; 2774; 2772; 2770.