The Flickr Groundcommandedtelevisionassembly Image Generatr

“Jim's "locator" to the Rover from the "fragment with a great number of vesicles". Samples 15528 and 15529 came from this rock. A detail
www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/static/history/alsj/a15/a...
shows Dave holding the 500-mm lens and examining the far wall of the rille.”

The photograph was taken at Station 9A, near the rim of Hadley Rille.

“APOLLO 16 TV PICTURE/LM LIFTOFF----The Apollo 16 Lunar Module "Orion" ascent stage makes its lift off from the lunar surface in this reproduction taken from a color television transmission made by the RCA color TV camera mounted on the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV). The LRV-mounted TV camera, remotely controlled from the Mission Control Center, made it possible for people on Earth to watch the LM's spectacular launch from the Moon. The liftoff was at 175:44 ground elapsed time, 7:26 p.m. (CST), April 23, 1972. The "Orion" ascent stage, with Astronauts John W. Young and Charles M. Duke Jr. aboard, returned from the lunar surface to rejoin the Command and Service Modules orbiting the moon. Astronaut Thomas K. Mattingly II remained with the CSM in lunar orbit while Young and Duke descended in the LM to explore the Descartes landing site. The LM descent stage is used as a launching platform and remains behind on the Moon.”

A slight variation, associated with subsequent online NASA “issuances” of the image. I don’t why they/somebody felt compelled to tweak it, it was fine the way it was originally written…better actually. Dumbasses:

“The Apollo 16 Lunar Module "Orion" ascent stage makes its liftoff from the lunar surface in this reproduction taken from a color television transmission made by the RCA color TV camera mounted on the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV). Remotely controlled from NASA's Mission Control Center (MCC) in Houston, the LRV-mounted camera made it possible for persons on Earth to watch the LM's launch from the moon. Liftoff occurred at 175:44 ground elapsed time, 7:26 p.m. (CST), April 23, 1972. The "Orion" ascent stage, with astronauts John W. Young and Charles M. Duke Jr. aboard, returned from the lunar surface to rejoin the Command and Service Modules (CSM) orbiting the moon. Astronaut Thomas K. (Ken) Mattingly II remained with the CSM in lunar orbit while Young and Duke descended in the LM to explore the Descartes landing site. The LM descent stage is used as a launching platform and remains behind on the moon.”

It's obvious there’s something amiss/different going on with the aft ascent stage panels in the image…”buckling” as it was referred to by NASA. In the following video, you can see/say it’s more like “flapping”, seemingly only remaining attached along their top borders:

youtu.be/SdW6eVb_dmc?si=nJk7qp79AAqQEJWw
Credit: Space Resources/YouTube

A delightful artist’s concept/photo hybrid of two Apollo astronauts…Armstrong & Aldrin?…at Tranquility Base…with their LRV…possibly about to start a traverse. Or, maybe it’s the initial shakedown drive, since neither the high-gain antenna nor the aft tool carrier is attached to the LRV. Regardless, I like it.

Note the pneumatic appearance of the tires, albeit with the familiar chevron tread pattern. Also, the two trays to either side of the Control and Display Console, one holding a rather stout Hasselblad data camera, the other…a battery…maybe, both apparently secured by bungee cords. I wonder what the small box-like thing attached to the top of the OPS of the "navigator" Astronaut.

I’m assuming this to have been an RCA-produced image due to the GCTA being labeled “RCA”, with Boeing possibly a distant second as source.

“EVA-3 at the SEP site. Partial pan. LM, LRV, SEP transmitter. Gene is sitting on the Rover, waiting for Jack to finish these documentation photos showing the LRV position at the start of the traverse.”

The above per the excellent Apollo Lunar Surface Journal (ALSJ) website:

history.nasa.gov/alsj/a17/images17.html

And:

history.nasa.gov/alsj/a17/AS17-141-21512HR.jpg

The Surface Electrical Properties (SEP) transmitter is actually out of the frame to the left. Additionally, deployed ALSEP components are visible in the distance, between Cernan & the LRV high-gain antenna, the central station distinguishable both by its larger size and its conspicuous earth-pointed antenna. Furthermore, “Geophone Rock” can be seen between the SEP Receiver-Recorder antenna mast & vertically stowed lunar rake, at the rear of the LRV. Finally, note also the ingeniously repaired right rear fender of the LRV.


Some muddled (to me at least) information - also, per the ALSJ, more specifically, the father of the ALSJ, Eric M. Jones - that I wasn’t previously aware of pertaining to the mountains in the background, particularly, the one just to the right of center:

“The Apollo 17 crew chose the name "Family Mountain" for one of the mountains guarding the western entrance to Taurus-Littrow "to honor the families of the crew members and their associates. Their sacrifices go unrecorded but not unrecognized."

The evidence presented below indicates that, prior to the mission, the name "Family Mountain" was applied to a mountain just west of the Scarp and near the base of the North Massif but that, during the mission, the crew applied the name to a larger peak, more prominent as seen from the LM, that lies west of the South Massif. I believe that it is the prerogative of explorers to change their minds. An example is that of Captain James Cook who, in successive drafts of his Journal, changed his choice of name for a famous place he visited from Sting Ray's Harbour to Botanist Harbour to Botanist Bay to Botany Bay. (See J.C. Beaglehole's 'The Life of Captain James Cook', p. 230.)

After discussing the matter with Jack Schmitt, I have chosen to apply, throughout the Apollo Lunar Surface Journal, the name (West) Family Mountain to the more prominent peak and (Old) Family Mountain to the smaller peak.”

Excerpted from/at:

www.nasa.gov/history/alsj/a17/a17.fam-mtn.html

As such, it seems that most/nearly all others, to include myself, have also called it “Family Mountain”.

However, from ”The Geologic Investigation of the Taurus-Littrow Valley: Apollo 17 Landing Site”, Geologic Survey Professional Paper 1080, Figure 9, page 20, the mountain in question is referred to as “West Massif”, and the mountain to its right is referred to as “Family Mountain”.

And, the LPI folks refer to it as “Family Mountain West”:

www.lpi.usra.edu/exploration/training/illustrations/lunar...

Bottom line: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Irregular loss of gloss along the left edge of the photographic paper, and to a much lesser extent, the top edge, doesn't infringe on, nor detract from the image itself.

"APOLLO 17 TV PICTURE----Astronauts Eugene A. Cernan (on left) and Harrison H. Schmitt pay their respects and send their best wishes to the members of the International Youth Science Tour, who were visiting the Manned Spacecraft Center, in brief ceremonies near the close of the third Apollo 17 Extravehicular Activity (EVA-3) at the Taurus-Littrow landing site. This picture is a reproduction taken from a color television transmission made by the color RCA TV camera mounted on the Lunar Roving Vehicle. Noting that they had collected a very significant rock composed of many fragments, Schmitt said: "A portion of a rock will be sent to a representative agency or museum in each of the countries represented by the young people in Houston today..." The more than 70 foreign students were in the U.S. visiting space research and science centers. In his closing remarks to the students Cernan remarked: "We salute you, promise of the future." chamber and the CSM for Apollo 12, which recently arrived at Kennedy Space Center, was getting its initial checkouts in the aisle. Apollo 11 is scheduled for the first manned lunar landing mission this summer.”

December 1972. What year is it now? Yep…yikes.

“ASTRONAUTS EMBARK ON LUNAR EXPLORATION”

The fifth of five gorgeous renderings of Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) deployment by Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation (GAEC)/Grumman Aerospace Corporation (GAC) master artist Craig Kavafes.

Also:

www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/alsj-LRVDeployGrumman.html

Specifically:

www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/S71-38190HR.jpg
Both above credit: ALSJ website

I love the ALSJ; however, although it's not my place, I take issue with the poor choice (IMHO) of the term…”cartoons” and the “sigh” remark. “Sigh”, “UGH” and a host of other vulgar & disparaging sounds befit most NASA attempts at any ‘attempt/effort’ regarding image preservation, description, presentation, cataloging, etc., etc., etc. Not the fact that this doesn't represent actual candidate landing site topography.
I’m okay with a little dramatic terrain. I’m also thankful they have it & shared it!

Very nicely composed Boeing artist’s depiction, featuring the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV), highlighting the Apollo Astronauts’ enhanced/extended capability to explore the lunar surface using it. Here, the Mission Commander, i.e., “driver”, has commenced collecting lunar samples shortly after departing the Lunar Module (LM). The Lunar Module Pilot (LMP) is seen zeroing in the high-gain antenna on earth, allowing Ed Fendell to assume control of the Ground Commanded Television camera, thus providing us the amazing color television imagery of their Extravehicular Activity (EVA).

8.75” x 11”. The size of the photographic paper exceeded the width of the scanner bed, hence the cut-off appearance along one side.

Another WIN. Athough minimum information is available, other than a superlative B-17 scene at least, the artist is Mr. Gene Erickson.

Wonderful Boeing artist’s concept, featuring the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV), depicting Apollo Astronauts’ enhanced capability to explore using the vehicle.
Another WIN, although there’s not much on him, other than a fantastic B-17 scene he depicted, the artist being Mr. Gene Erickson.

BONUS: The image was featured on the cover of the - in my world - popular, semi-iconic & rather desirable Boeing/NASA LRV booklet “SPACECRAFT WITH WHEELS”.

RCA artist’s concept, possibly depicting Apollo 16 Commander John Young tending to the Ground Commanded Television Assembly (GCTA), manufactured by RCA.
The identification as Apollo 16 is based on a much more knowledgeable source’s identification as such. The terrain in the background should be a clue, but it really isn’t. I originally thought it was Apollo 15, with an undersized St. George crater on the slope of Mons Hadley Delta. Frankly, the Apollo 16 landing site, other than having relief, is not particularly distinguishable, so I suppose maybe that’s Stone Mountain in the background. But, I don’t recall a conspicuous single crater like that on it. The background could also loosely pass for Taurus-Littrow I guess. That ‘mountain’ being one of the Massifs, but again, that lone crater throws that off. Realistically, I bet the artist wasn’t even trying to represent whatever landing site it is. It’s the television camera and its related equipment that mattered in this depiction.

Other than that ambiguity, it’s really a very nice work by Rudy Baum, apparently/possibly an RCA artist.

“APOLLO 16 TV PICTURE/LM LIFTOFF----The flame from the Apollo 16 Lunar Module "Orion" ascent stage engine creates a kaleidoscope effect during lunar liftoff, as seen in this reproduction taken from a color television transmission made by the RCA color TV camera mounted on the Lunar Roving Vehicle. The LRV-mounted TV camera, remotely controlled from the Mission Control Center, made it possible for people on Earth to watch the LM’s spectacular launch from the Moon. The liftoff was at 175:44 ground elapsed time, 7:26 p.m. (CST), April 23, 1972. The “Orion” ascent stage, with Astronauts John W. Young and Charles M. Duke Jr. aboard, returned from the lunar surface to rejoin the Command and Service Modules orbiting the Moon. Astronaut Thomas K. Mattingly II remained with the CSM in lunar orbit while Young and Duke explored the Descartes landing site. The LM descent stage is used as a launching platform and remains behind on the Moon.”

Kaleidoscopic effect? Sure. Flame? NO.
Even as a 13-yr old at the time, I knew it wasn’t flame! The previous year’s footage from Apollo 15 determined it to be the ‘foil’ covering being blasted, ripping off & then propelled by the exhaust. For the umpteenth time - UGH.

Per the Apollo 16 Lunar Surface Journal website:

“Journal Contributor Harald Kucharek notes that the rear panels on the Ascent stage can be seen to buckle during the first few seconds of liftoff.”

Additionally, as only the ALSJ/ALJ can provide:

“In the TV image, the horizon is tilted down to the right. Fendell does not have the TV at mazimum zoom and has it positioned so that the plus-Y (north) footpad is at the bottom of the frame. Consequently, he has a lot of frame above the LM to help capture liftoff.]

Because of the time delay in getting commands to the camera, Fendell had to tell the camera to begin tracking upwards slightly before ignition. The camera begins to track about 2 seconds after ignition. The LM stays in the field-of-view for about 6 seconds but, in part because John parked only 80 meters from the LM, the camera can't be panned fast enough during these early stages to keep the LM in sight. As the LM gains altitude and, after pitchover, begins to move westward, the camera catches up.”

At:

www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/a16/a16.launch.html

Finally, the photo was used as the cover image of EP-97, “Apollo 16 At Descartes”.

“Traverse from Station 4 to Station 5.
www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/a16/AS16-110-17978HR.jpg
As Charlie mentions in the dialog, they are headed in the general direction of the LM. In a detail,
www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/a16/a16det17978LM_HouseRock.jpg
Don McMillan has labeled both the LM and House Rock.”

All above at/credit: ALSJ website/Don McMillan

That's really impressive. How in the world did Mr. McMillan deduce the location of either, let alone both? The LM I can sort of understand, due to the brightened appearance of the regolith by the Lunar Module Descent Engine (LMDE) exhaust. I suppose based on that and the relative positions of the surface features, craters, etc., ‘House Rock’ could then be determined? But it’s a mere dot. Again, very impressive.

A photo that really captures the exponential increase in exploration capability provided by the LRV. And what a serious hike it would’ve been back to the LM in case of a “breakdown”.

Finally, a fantastic LROC photograph of the landing site, providing an excellent labeled perspective of what we’re looking at. House Rock is located on the southeast rim of North Ray crater...Station 11 basically. Pretty awesome:

lroc.sese.asu.edu/news/uploads/a16_lroc_traversemap.png

lroc.sese.asu.edu/news/uploads/M175179080LR_thumb.png
Both above credit: LROC, School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University website

“This excellent picture is the last one that Dave took at the end of EVA-1. He has moved around to a position in the LM shadow southwest of the Rover. A detail shows Jim and the Rover.
www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/a15/a15det11603.jpg
Mt. Hadley, in all its glory, is in the background. On the back of the Rover we can see two SCBs mounted on the gate; and, also, the rake, both pairs of tongs, the extension handle, probably with the scoop attached, and the penetrometer. Note that the TV camera is pointed down, in the stowed position. As can be seen in a labeled detail
www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/a15/a15LTO41B4-Hadley11603.jpg
from Lunar Topographic Orthophotomap LTO41B4
www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/a15/a15LTO41B4.jpg
Mt. Hadley's summit is 4100 m above the LM and at a distance of 20 km. The distant, bright summit immediately to the right of Mt. Hadley is about the same height but is 33 km from the LM.”

www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/a15/AS15-86-11603HR.jpg

Above of course, per/at the ALSJ website.

Also:

spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/apollo/apollo15/html/...

Beautifully done:

commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mons_Hadley_AS15-M-1423...
Credit: Wikimedia Commons/James Stuby

Outstanding:

dahp.wa.gov/sites/default/files/documents/nominations/WHR...
Credit: Washington State Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation website

"Astronaut John W. Young, Apollo 16 commander, with a sample bag in his left hand, moves toward the bottom part of the gnomon (center) while collecting samples at the North Ray Crater geological site. Note how soiled Young's Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) is during this the third and final Apollo 16 extravehicular activity (EVA-3). The Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) is parked at upper left."

spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/apollo/apollo16/html/...

Per the stellar ALSJ website:

“This excellent picture of John at Station 10 Prime is a "locator" to the Rover from the rake sample site. the gnomon legs - all that remains of the instrument, is in the foreground.”

Note also the missing aft 1/3 of the right rear fender. And finally, note the semi-transparent nature of the tires, primarily visible in the rear tires. An ingenious & lightweight design that proved highly effective.
Might've been a good idea for Curiosity.

NOBODY doesn’t like the LRV.
Am I right???
Especially this one...the Descartes “Grand Prix” John W. Young Signature Edition. Featuring rich Lunarian White nylon webbed bucket seats.

Station 6 "locator" to the LRV, with Jack in the background taking photos AS17-139-21206 to 21211 and using Fragment 2 to give him some stability. Fragment 3 is the smaller piece of rock that is next to Fragment 2 and to the right of Jack.

Above per ALSJ description.

Signed by Harrison Schmitt, Apollo 17 LMP. Professionally double matted & framed by Novaspace Galleries. Accompanied by their CoA. Of impeccable quality & unquestionable reputation.

Astronauts Irwin and Scott during LRV fit check at KSC.

The photograph is reversed l-r.

www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/alsj/a15/ap15-71-HC-91...
All above credit: Project Apollo Archive website/Kipp Teague

"Traverse from Station 9 to Station 10, showing most of the LM."

www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/a16/AS16-115-18549HR.jpg
All above per the ALSJ.

Apparently, the LRV navigation system had failed prior to this, and John had used terrain features to navigate, confirmed by the lack of outbound LRV tracks to the front.
Some of that Right Stuff stuff.

RCA/LCRU LRV presentations, from the "L.C.R.U. Tiger Team" to the Apollo 17 crew.

Entertaining and informative excerpt regarding the LCRU "Tiger Team" and some of those involved/privvy:

books.google.com/books?id=p4BsbT4Y_KoC&pg=PA334&l...

From "On the Moon: The Apollo Journals", by Grant Heiken and Eric Jones...the very same that brings us the ALSJ, hence quality is assured!

Unlike the similar photo for Apollo 15 & 16, note the absence of Major Matt Mason. Possibly out of vogue/tacky/tackier? by late '72 - early '73?

"Apollo 17 Astronauts (l-r) Lunar Module Pilot Harrison Schmitt and Commander Gene Cernan practice taking lunar soil and rock samples during an EVA exercise. The last of the Apollo/Saturn missions is scheduled for launching Dec. 6, 1972 from Complex 39A."

John Young lept/saluted twice and was photographed both times by Charlie Duke. This is the second, seldom published/seen photo of his iconic "jump salute(s)". He didn't get as high on this one and is slightly angled and pitched forward.

For analysis of both this, and the preceding photo - as only available at the ALSJ - I offer the following extract:

"Photos of John's jumping salutes and of Charlie's standing salute.

AS16-113-18339: [which is the preceding photo]

120:25:42 John Young jumps off the ground and salutes for this superb tourist picture. He is off the ground about 1.45 seconds which, in the lunar gravity field, means that he launched himself at a velocity of about 1.17 m/s and reached a maximum height of 0.42 m. Although the suit and backpack weigh as much as he does, his total weight is only about 65 pounds (30 kg) and, to get this height, he only had to bend his knees slightly and then push up with his legs. In the background, we can see the UV astronomy camera, the flag, the LM, the Rover with the TV camera watching John, and Stone Mountain. Journal Contributor Joe Cannaday notes that high-point of John's first jump was at a time close to 120:25:49 and the second was almost exactly three seconds later.

AS16-113-18339/40 Stereo Images:

These stereo images were created by Yuri Krasilnikov, who writes, "A bit of artistry was necessary to create credible stereo. In the left-right pair, Charlie captured John's first jump in 18339, which is on the right. In the original of 18340, we see that John isn't as far off the ground and is tilted to his left. In addition, there are footprints beneath him that he made when he landed after the first jump, a clear indication that John is closer to Charlie than he was in 18339. Creation of a credible anaglyph required removal of the image of John from 18340 and careful replacement with the image of John from 18339."

Yuri has also made a two-frame animation of John's jumps. John is more upright in 18339; and there are prominent footprints at his second launch point in 18340.

See, also, a red-blue anaglyph created by Erik van Meihgaarden, who writes, "John did two jumping salutes for Charlie, who took a picture each time John was near the top of his jump. Consequently, we are seeing not only from two slightly different view points but, also, when he was at slightly different places. The TV recordings of these jumps show that John was on the LM side of the flag. Combination of images from the two different jumps creates the impression that John is on Charlie's side of the flag. John also looks like he's jumped more than the half meter he actually achieved. In comparison, because the flag wasn't touched or moved between the two jumps, our stereoview of it is completely legitimate.

AS16-113-18340:

120:25:42 John's second jump lasts about 1.30 seconds and, consequently, his launch velocity is about 1.05 m/s and his maximum height is 0.34 m."

Better yet, visit the site:

www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/a16/images16.html