description Harrison Schmitt Overview
Harrison Schmitt is an American geologist, former NASA astronaut, and university professor who served as the Lunar Module Pilot for the Apollo 17 mission in December 1972. As a professional geologist, he was the first and only scientist to walk on the Moon. Following his tenure at NASA, Schmitt served as a United States Senator from New Mexico from 1977 to 1983.
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Which Apollo mission did Harrison Schmitt fly on?
Harrison Schmitt was the Lunar Module Pilot on Apollo 17, NASA's final crewed lunar landing mission. Apollo 17 landed in the Taurus-Littrow Valley in December 1972.
Was Harrison Schmitt the first scientist to walk on the Moon?
Yes, NASA identifies Schmitt as the first scientist to step onto the lunar surface. He is also the only professional geologist to have walked on the Moon.
Who was Harrison Schmitt's Apollo 17 crewmate on the lunar surface?
Schmitt explored the Moon with mission commander Eugene Cernan. Command Module Pilot Ronald Evans remained in lunar orbit while Cernan and Schmitt worked on the surface.
What did Schmitt contribute to Apollo 17's geology work?
As a trained geologist, Schmitt helped Apollo 17 select and interpret lunar rocks and soil in Taurus-Littrow. The mission also examined unusual orange volcanic material near Shorty Crater.
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