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
Apollo 14 Prime Crew Members
Taking part in a simulation of a lunar traversal.
2
Crew of Space Shuttle Enterprise
Next to crew of Star Trek’s Enterprise. 1976.
3
Astronaut Fred Haise
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
NASA Astronaut Anna Lee Fisher
Wearing an Apollo spacesuit, 1978.
5
NASA Prototype
AX-3 spacesuit, 1970s.
6
Astronaut David Scott
Doing geology training for Apollo 15 in Apollo Valley, Mauna Kea, Hawaii. 1970.
7
Astronaut Eugene Cernan
During EVA 3 of Apollo 17. December 13th, 1972.
8
Astronaut Jack Swigert
Preparing for NASA’s Apollo 13 Mission.
9
Apollo 16 Astronaut Charles Duke’s Family Photo
Left behind on the moon, April, 1972.
10
Apollo 15 Geological Training
Kapoho, Hawaii.
11
Harrison "Jack" Schmitt
Training with the lunar roving vehicle on the Big Island of Hawaii. 1971.
12
Anna Lee Fisher
Preparing for neutral buoyancy, (underwater), training in an Apollo-era pressure suit. 1978.
13
Astronaut Fred W. Haise Jr.
Participating in water egress training in a water tank before Apollo 13.
14
Apollo 17 Astronaut Eugene Cernan
In the lunar module after the last EVA on the moon. December, 1972
15
Apollo 15 Astronaut Jim Irwin
And the Lunar Roving Vehicle on the Moon in 1971.
16
Apollo 13 Crew
Onboard the USS Iwo Jima, after returning safely to Earth.
17
Astronaut Harrison Schmitt
With Earth in the background. Apollo 17. 1972.
18
Apollo 13 Astronauts
On their way to the rocket.
19
Apollo 13 Astronauts
On their way to the launch of their mission in 1970.
20
Apollo 15 Astronaut
Taking a drive on the moon in their land rover, 1971.
21
Marilyn Lovell, Wife of Apollo 13 Commander Jim Lovell
Reading a newspaper with the rescue mission headlining the front page.
