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National Aeronautics & Space Administration, "Apollo 17 Excerpt 5" from The Apollo Missions (Space Cadet Mike Papa DSKY)
Commentary: Harrison "Jack" Schmitt, Ph.D. was selected in Astronaut Group 4, the first group of scientist-astronauts; his doctorate was in geology. With the cancellation of Apollos 18, 19, & 20, there was tremendous pressure to fly Schmitt before the end of the program. He was tenatively assigned to the crew of Apollo 18, as L.M.P., alongside CDR Dick Gordon & C.M.P. Vance Brand. The tentative crew of Apollo 17 was CDR Gene Cernan, C.M.P. Ron Evans, & L.M.P. Joe Engle. The decision was made that the geologist-astronaut Schmitt, "Doctor Rock," would fly. Deke Slayton then presented Cernan with a choice: accept Schmitt in place of Engle or step aside & allow Gordon's crew to fly the mission. Cernan had turned down the chance to walk on the Moon as L.M.P. of Apollo 16, because he'd already served as L.M.P. of Apollo 10 & wanted his own command. He fought to keep Engle, but in the end he chose to break up his crew & accept Schmitt.
I really wish N.A.S.A. had been allowed & funded to fly Apollo 18, Apollo 19, & Apollo 20.
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