Harrison “Jack” Schmitt was the only Apollo
astronaut who didn’t train at the national
park. The geologist left Flagstaff to become an
astronaut, and while his comrades were learning
geology, he was learning to be a pilot.
In another historical photo, Apollo astronauts
Jim Irwin and David Scott ride around in Grover,
a prototype of the lunar rover made in Flagstaff
from spare parts and now on display at the
Astrogeology Science Center.
The eventual lunar rover used in three Apollo
missions famously got a broken fender on a
1972 mission to the moon. Astronauts cobbled
together a quick fix that included a map
produced by geologists in Flagstaff.
In yet another historical photo, Pete Conrad
and Alan Bean stand in the volcanic cinder
field bordered by ponderosa pine trees
holding a tool carrier. Bean would later say:
“I now love geology, thanks to these early
experiences in Flagstaff,” local historian Kevin
Schindler co-wrote in a book on space training
in northern Arizona.
Lauren Edgar, a research geologist at the
Astrogeology Science Center, is working with
the 2017 class of astronaut candidates who will
be in Flagstaff later this year for field training.
“It will be pretty inspiring for them. It’s inspiring
for us being involved in this, but knowing you’re
walking in the boot steps of these previous
astronauts here in Flagstaff and, hopefully, some
day on another body,” she said.
Flagstaff is celebrating the 50th anniversary of
the first moon landing with tours, exhibits, talks
and moon-themed food and art.