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On December 13, 1972, Gene Cernan left his footprints on the Moon during the Apollo 17 mission, the last human landing on the lunar surface to date. He paused by the Lunar Module, taking in the silent landscape of the Taurus–Littrow valley, knowing each step marked not just a mission milestone but the closing chapter of an era.Cernan’s work on Apollo 17 built on everything that came before—decades of training, innovation, and courage. He carried with him the legacy of every lunar mission, every astronaut who trained and flew, and left behind a reminder that exploration demands both boldness and humility.Follow The Cosmic Frontier for more powerful moments from humanity’s journey to the Moon. 🌍🚀🌕