A framed family photograph was left on the moon in 1972 by the youngest astronaut involved in NASA’s Apollo program.
Charlie Duke was just 36 when he took part in the fifth manned lunar landing mission.
Now 78, Mr Duke visited Ivanhoe Grammar’s Mernda campus last week to share his story and help science students launch mini-rockets that they created.
To date, just 12 astronauts have walked on the moon. All were members of NASA’s Apollo program between 1969 and 1972. Just eight of them are still alive, making stories of their experience increasingly precious.
Students heard about the Apollo 16 mission first hand during an assembly held last Tuesday. Year 10 student Laney Facchinetti said Mr Duke’s address was fascinating.
“The things he’s done … and being so young, it really clicks with us,” she said.
Laney said Mr Duke’s talk took on greater significance, with her science class learning about the theory behind rocket propulsion.
“It was humbling to meet someone who has done so much. He told us a few jokes; he was very relatable.”
Laney, 15, was one of a group of students who launched their own mini-rockets in front of Mr Duke, who was making his second visit to the Mernda campus.
