In 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon, and in doing so, achieved arguably the greatest goal ever set by man kind.
Although NASA could have rested on their laurels, space exploration in the 1970s was just getting started, and a slew of Apollo missions sent many more men back to the moon, the first space shuttle into orbit, and much more.
Astronauts were busy in the 1970s, and had plenty to do before their jobs were quite literally replaced by robots a half decade later.
Here are 21 photos of what life looked like for astronauts in the 1970s.
1
Taking part in a simulation of a lunar traversal.
2
Next to crew of Star Trek’s Enterprise. 1976.
3
On the flight deck of Space Shuttle Enterprise in 1977 during flight tests in California. Fred Haise also flew as the Lunar Module Pilot of Apollo 13 in 1970.
4
Wearing an Apollo spacesuit, 1978.
6
Doing geology training for Apollo 15 in Apollo Valley, Mauna Kea, Hawaii. 1970.
7
During EVA 3 of Apollo 17. December 13th, 1972.
8
Preparing for NASA’s Apollo 13 Mission.
9
Left behind on the moon, April, 1972.
11
Training with the lunar roving vehicle on the Big Island of Hawaii. 1971.
12
Preparing for neutral buoyancy, (underwater), training in an Apollo-era pressure suit. 1978.
13
Participating in water egress training in a water tank before Apollo 13.
14
In the lunar module after the last EVA on the moon. December, 1972
15
And the Lunar Roving Vehicle on the Moon in 1971.
16
Onboard the USS Iwo Jima, after returning safely to Earth.
17
With Earth in the background. Apollo 17. 1972.
18
On their way to the rocket.
19
On their way to the launch of their mission in 1970.
20
Taking a drive on the moon in their land rover, 1971.
21
Reading a newspaper with the rescue mission headlining the front page.
