Apollo 16 pilot reflects moonwalk on 50th anniversary

Video from the channel AP Archive about Apollo 16, linked on its Above Ten Thousand entry. Duration: 6:00. Language: English. Video type: News.

Charlie Duke, Apollo 16 astronaut, looks back on his mission 50 years later. He recalls that Apollo 16 was the fifth Moon landing and that they reached the Moon on April 20, 1972. Among the moments he remembers most vividly, he cites the launch, the first view of Earth from about 20,000 miles away, the Moon landing and reentry. He admits that even today it moves him to think that he was on the Moon.

Duke recalls that the last three Apollo missions were canceled and that, with the focus shifting to the space station and the shuttle, deep space was left aside for longer than he expected. He describes the Moon as a desolate but beautiful environment, of mountains, contrasts, grey tones and the blackness of space. He presents Apollo as more of an adventure than a religious, spiritual or philosophical experience.

Duke believes NASA's future lies in deep space and in returning to the Moon, with a new spacecraft, a new vehicle and new rockets. Earth orbit would be left to companies such as SpaceX, Blue Origin or Boeing, dedicated to launching satellites. He is confident there will be a new Moon landing this decade.