Exploring the moon. Apollo XVI

This generation does not intend to founder in the back-wash of the coming age of space. We need to be part of it, we need to lead it.(John F. Kennedy)

After the separation of “Orion” from the Lunar Module “Casper” the Command/Service Module (CSM). “Casper was supposed to reorient to a new position that would be needed if the lunar landing was aborted.

The Apollo XVI CSM experienced a malfunction and it was unable to adjust its position. Having learned that the LM can be used as a life raft from Apollo XII. NASA told Duke to hold off on the lunar descent while they ran tests on the CSM. After 13 hours of test, NASA decided that “Orion’s” problems could be worked around and there was no need to cancel the lunar landing.

Because of the thirteen hour delay John Young and Charles Duke, Jr. decided that it would be wiser to get some sleep and them go out for there EVA.

“I really want to get out but I think that discretion is better part of valor here,” Charlie Duke said
“Man, it’s really tempting though. It really looks nice there.” John Young responded.

After getting out of there suits they became the first Apollo crew that actually got real sleep on the moon. Just to be awakened in the morning by some minor alarms that had been malfunctioning in the LM.

The next morning they got out early and assembled the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV), getting the experiments set out.

Their mission was the first to land in the highlands. Their primary goal was to try to find evidence of the existence of volcanic activity on the moon new or old.

Apollo XVI was unable to find an evidence of volcanic activity. There are still many people that think there is a posibility of volcanos on the moon. They were able to get a more complete test of the LRV and show some of its weakness and strengths.

The mission’s total time on the surface of the moon was 71 hours with a total of three EVAs totaling 20 hours, 14 minutes. The Mission was considered a success even though there was the problem with the CSM just about the time they were preparing for lunar landing. Because of the loss of time however they were unable to complete all mission objectives.