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We came in peace for all mankind

what I believe history will record. That America's challenge of today has forged man's destiny of tomorrow.

NASA has released images taken by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) of three Apollo landing sites. Not only can you see the lunar modules for Apollo 12, 14 and 17, but also visible are the tracks made by the lunar rover and the astronauts themselves. What amazes me most is the distance covered on foot by Apollo 12 astronauts, Pete Conrad and Alan Bean, as the lunar rover wasn't available until Apollo 15.

Apollo 17 was the last manned mission to the moon. As he was stepping from the lunar surface back into the lunar module for the last time, Astronaut Gene Cernan expressed his final thoughts:

"I'm on the surface; and, as I take man's last step from the surface, back home for some time to come — but we believe not too long into the future — I'd like to just [say] what I believe history will record. That America's challenge of today has forged man's destiny of tomorrow. And, 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..."