Apollo 17: Last Moonwalker Harrison Schmitt Offers Clear Advice as Artemis II Readies to Launch
Harrison Schmitt, who left bootprints on the Moon in 1972 as part of apollo 17, delivered blunt, practical counsel to the four astronauts of Artemis II. The crew is scheduled to lift off April 1, 2026 at 6: 24 p. m. ET for a lunar flyby intended to restart sustained human exploration. Schmitt said their priorities should be solid training, readiness for the unexpected, and remembering to enjoy the mission.
Apollo 17: Schmitt’s memories and his message
Schmitt, identified in mission records as an Apollo 17 astronaut, recalled the intensity and wonder of human travel to the Moon and said that experience shaped his advice. “Every day, every hour, every minute, is a new experience, ” he said, and underscored that preparation matters: “Make sure that you’ve got your training down pat. Be ready for anything unexpected, but have a great time. Enjoy it. ” Those lines framed Schmitt’s guidance for Artemis II’s crew as they prepare for their circumnavigation.
Apollo 17’s mission history is part of the context Schmitt invoked: the Apollo 17 astronauts spent nearly 13 days in space, including more than three days on the lunar surface, and drove a lunar rover about 19 miles while returning heavy geology collections to Earth—243 pounds in total by mission account. Schmitt said the visual moments that remain with him included entering lunar orbit on the Moon’s far side and seeing the lunar surface lit by Earth light with a distinct bluish tint.
What Artemis II will do next and what to watch
Artemis II will circle the Moon on a crewed flyby intended as a step toward future landings; mission managers have framed it as a bridge to sustained lunar operations. Reid Wiseman, commander of the Artemis II mission, emphasized that the flight will offer views of parts of the Moon’s far side that previous human crews did not see, noting a large portion of that far side has never been visible to human eyes because of lighting conditions.
Mission planning for Artemis II centers on orbital operations and crew performance rather than a surface landing. The mission will test systems and crew readiness in lunar proximity; Schmitt argued that the intangible experiences of being there will matter as much as the technical checks, and he urged the team to take in those moments while executing their responsibilities.
Voices on the relic and the roadmap ahead
Veterans and current mission leaders have tied apollo 17’s legacy to the long-term objectives now being pursued. Schmitt said it would not surprise him if future generations stayed on the Moon for months and years, and he framed that outcome as consistent with human expansion. Reid Wiseman has focused on what humans will see on the flyby and how that feeds into broader plans for lunar bases and eventual missions beyond the Moon.
Looking ahead, Artemis II’s flyby is positioned as a milestone that will inform follow-on missions aimed at landing and longer stays; planners envision that the data and crew experience from this flight will shape the next operational steps. For the astronauts preparing to lift off at 6: 24 p. m. ET, Schmitt’s closing counsel was simple: trust training, be ready for surprises, and remember to enjoy the view—a short list rooted in the apollo 17 era but aimed squarely at the present mission.
