Manufacturer: AB Emblem.
Dimensions: 4" / 101mm.
Program: Apollo.
Flown Status: unflown.
Apollo 16 was the tenth manned mission of NASA's Apollo program and the fifth mission to successfully land astronauts on the Moon. Launched on April 16, 1972, it aimed to explore the lunar highlands and conduct scientific investigations.
The crew of Apollo 16 included astronauts John W. Young, Thomas K. Mattingly II, and Charles M. Duke Jr. Mattingly played a critical role as the Command Module Pilot, while Young and Duke descended to the lunar surface in the Lunar Module, named "Orion."
The Lunar Module landed in the Descartes Highlands on April 20, 1972. Young and Duke conducted three moonwalks, spending a total of 20 hours outside the spacecraft. They collected samples of rocks and soil, deployed scientific experiments, and explored the hilly and rugged terrain of the region.
One of the significant achievements of Apollo 16 was the deployment of the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV), allowing the astronauts to cover larger distances and collect samples from different locations. They traveled a total of 27.9 kilometers (17.3 miles) during their moonwalks.
The crew conducted various experiments related to geology, seismic activity, magnetism, and lunar surface photography. They also collected valuable samples, including a "genesis rock" believed to be among the oldest lunar materials ever found.
After completing their lunar activities, the crew returned to the Command Module and safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on April 27, 1972. They were recovered by the USS Ticonderoga.
More information:
Crew Patch Reference Guide: Apollo 16
