I’m on the surface; and, as I take man’s last step from the surface, back home for some time to come—but we believe not too long into the future—I’d like to just (say) what I believe history will record. That America’s challenge of today has forged man’s destiny of tomorrow. And as we leave the Moon at Taurus–Littrow, we leave as we came and, God willing, as we shall return, with peace and hope for all mankind. Godspeed the crew of Apollo 17.

Last words spoken on the moon by Gene Cernan, Dec 14th 1972