Captain Eugene Cernan's Philosophy of Life

Summary

This video profiles Captain Eugene Cernan, the last man to walk on the moon. It explores his journey from growing up in Chicago to becoming a NASA astronaut and the second American to walk in space. The narrative highlights his historic Apollo 17 mission, offering personal reflections on the moon’s perspective of Earth and the human experience. Cernan’s profound insights on humanity, peace, and the future of space exploration are featured, including a humorous anecdote about Neil Armstrong. The video also shares Cernan’s own words on leaving the moon and his philosophy of life, emphasizing the possibility of a hopeful future for mankind.

Takeaways

• 😀 Eugene Cernan, a Navy pilot from Chicago, was selected as a NASA astronaut in 1963, becoming part of the third group of astronauts.
• 😀 Cernan became the second American to walk in space, spending over two hours outside the spacecraft.
• 😀 He experienced the vastness of space firsthand, traveling at 18,000 mph while hanging on a rope during his spacewalk.
• 😀 Cernan vividly described the stunning view of Earth from space, including seeing the Mississippi River from its northern source to the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.
• 😀 Gene Cernan is the twelfth and final man to walk on the Moon, spending 75 hours on the lunar surface during the Apollo 17 mission.
• 😀 From the Moon, Earth appears small, about the size of a thumbnail, with visible blue oceans, white clouds, and a little green, inhabited by 7 billion people.
• 😀 Cernan reflected on the unity of humanity, saying that from the Moon, we are all one people and God's people, unable to distinguish nations like Uruguay and Bolivia.
• 😀 In 2010, Cernan shared a memorable dinner with Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the Moon, where a humorous story about Armstrong’s famous words on the lunar ladder was revealed.
• 😀 Armstrong, when asked about his famous words, admitted to saying 'Good luck, Mr. Gorsky' as a nod to a childhood memory, which had remained a secret for nearly 30 years.
• 😀 Before leaving the Moon, Cernan recorded a message for future generations, expressing hope for America's future in space exploration, stating, 'We leave as we came, and God willing, as we shall return.'

Q & A

Who is Captain Eugene Cernan?

Captain Eugene Cernan was a NASA astronaut, Navy pilot, and the last person to walk on the Moon. He was part of NASA's third astronaut group selected in 1963 and became the second American to walk in space.

What significant achievement did Eugene Cernan accomplish in space?

Eugene Cernan became the second American to walk in space, spending over two hours outside the spacecraft. He was also the last man to walk on the Moon during the Apollo 17 mission.

What did Eugene Cernan experience while floating in space?

Cernan described the experience of being in space as overwhelming, stating that at one point, he could see the entire Mississippi River from the sky, tracking its course from northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, and even viewing the Atlantic Ocean. He also talked about the surreal feeling of crossing the Gulf of Mexico with just three steps.

How long did Eugene Cernan spend on the Moon?

Cernan spent a total of 75 hours on the Moon, describing it as 'God's porch,' where he reflected on the planet and its inhabitants from a perspective that made borders and divisions seem insignificant.

What philosophical perspective did Cernan express about Earth from the Moon?

Cernan shared a philosophical reflection, noting that from the Moon, Earth appeared small with little distinction between nations. He emphasized that from space, we are all one people, regardless of national boundaries.

What memorable moment did Cernan share about Neil Armstrong?

Cernan shared a humorous story about Neil Armstrong's famous words on the Moon. According to Cernan, Armstrong said 'Good luck, Mr. Gorsky' when leaving the Moon, which was a reference to a childhood memory. Armstrong later admitted this after many years.

What was Neil Armstrong's famous quote when he first stepped on the Moon?

Neil Armstrong famously said, 'That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,' when he first stepped on the Moon. This phrase became iconic and is widely remembered in the history of space exploration.

What did Cernan say as he left the Moon?

As Cernan left the Moon, he said, 'As we leave the Moon at Taurus-Littrow, we leave as we came, and God willing, as we shall return, with peace and hope for all mankind. Godspeed the crew of Apollo 17.'

What personal story did Cernan share about Neil Armstrong at a dinner in Pensacola?

At a 2010 dinner in Pensacola with 12 people, Cernan recounted a story about Neil Armstrong being very quiet and reserved, contrasting with Cernan's own outspoken nature. Cernan had asked Armstrong about a story, which Armstrong confirmed, involving the phrase 'Good luck, Mr. Gorsky.'

What did Cernan's final words represent in terms of humanity's future?

Cernan's final words on the Moon highlighted his belief in the enduring challenge of space exploration and his hope that America and humanity would continue to pursue peace and scientific progress. He believed that the efforts of today would shape the destiny of tomorrow.