The Moon’s Forgotten Relic: Where Is Apollo 17’s Challenger?

Ah, the Apollo 17 lunar module Challenger – a spaceship that looks like it was crafted by a committee of geometry enthusiasts and slightly over-caffeinated engineers.

With its awkward angles and angular awkwardness, this metal marvel was built for much more than making fashion statements on the Sea of Tranquility. It soared through the near vacuum of space, and now, it hovers in the annals of history as one of our most beloved lunar vessels.

Picture this: Apollo 17’s command module, America, caught in a ballet against the backdrop of the lunar abyss, digitally enhanced and dressed up for the occasion. Challenger’s ascent stage, a solid metal beauty, waltzes in lunar orbit like it’s in an interstellar dance-off. At the sides, those cute little reaction control thrusters are flexing their muscles, while the bell of the ascent rocket engine hangs below, clearly the showstopper of this lunar performance. And let’s not forget the hatch leading to the Moon’s surface and that round radar antenna perched precariously at the top, probably wondering why it didn’t get invited to the fashion week on Earth.

Now, if you squint just right, you can see Mission Commander Gene Cernan giving us a cheeky wave through the triangular window. I mean, who wouldn’t want to go to the Moon and pose for what’s essentially a cosmic selfie? In December of 1972, the Challenger wobbled down, gracefully landing in the Taurus-Littrow valley, where it got to bask in the lunar sun before heading back home.

But what happened after all the moonwalking was over? The descent stage now lies as a solemn yet splendid monument at the Apollo 17 landing site, like an ancient artifact awaiting its future archaeologist. Meanwhile, the ascent stage? Well, that went for a dramatic exit – intentionally crashed nearby, it seems, after being jettisoned from the command module in a move that can only be described as the ultimate lunar mic drop.

So, where is Challenger now? The truth is, it’s no longer dodging stars and sightseers; it’s a celestial memory, resting where we left it, far from the chaos of Earth. It stands there, enduring time – a testament to humanity’s relentless curiosity and triumph, and perhaps to a few awkward moments caught on camera.

In a world clouded by fast-paced technology and fleeting moments, it’s nice to know that Apollo 17’s Challenger still shines in the vast cosmos, quietly reminding us of our stumbles and achievements. So here’s to Challenger, the angular oddball of space, resting somewhere on the Moon while we Earthlings remain entranced by the vastness of the universe. Maybe one day we’ll send a team of elegant astronauts to say hello. Until then, Challenger remains airborne in our memories, defying the laws of gravity and awkwardness all at once.
Image via NASA https://ift.tt/6EmJteX