Later this year, Apollo 17 astronaut and geologist Jack
Schmitt will mark forty-five years since his first steps on
the moon in December 1972. Those footprints left an impression on
both the moon and on Schmitt.
“No matter how much preparation
you have for experiences like stepping on the moon, it’s going
to be more than you ever anticipated.” Schmitt was the
first trained field geologist to observe the moon up close and
personal, and he found himself discovering unexpected things
with every step. “Every rock that we examined had something
new that I didn’t expect. And surprises are what geologists
like. That’s why you’re exploring – to see the things
that no one has ever seen before.” Schmitt spent a
combined twenty-two hours outside of the spacecraft during
his three excursions on the moon. Before his own trip,
Schmitt trained other Apollo astronauts. Sharing with them
his in-depth knowledge of field work. “The main thing was to
expose them to as many different geological experiences as we
possibly could. Get them out in the field – don’t let them sit
in the classroom.” He treated training scenarios on Earth the
same way he would if they were on the moon. Including simulated
equipment, backpacks and cameras strapped to the front of
spacesuits. Astronauts could then focus on what differences
in the rocks they were seeing, and what rock samples were best
to collect. Essentially giving them the fundamental field
geological experiences that they needed to succeed. The four or
five days per month Schmitt spent training astronauts in the
field really did made a difference. “The quality and
diversity of the Apollo sample collection, independent of
Apollo 17 where you had an experienced geologist, the
quality and diversity of that sample collection is just
remarkable.” Fortunately, the current
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission, or LRO, is changing
the game; bringing back high- quality photography of the moon
that Schmitt only wished he’d seen before his own trip. “The
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter program now has provided us with
a much, much higher resolution suite of photographs for any
future astronauts.” What we learned from the Apollo missions
helped lay the groundwork for LRO, and LRO will help guide
future explorers. “Every new environment in which a geologist
works is usually very different than the last, but you have
learned things from your previous experiences that do in
fact enable you to maximize the value of your new experience.”
Schmitt has his fingers crossed for future moon exploration, a
landscape he considers holds answers to many questions about
the early solar system. “You can hear people talk about it, but
you can’t absorb it until you’re there.”