View of Apollo 14 on its way to launch pad
NASA

Apollo 14

Astronauts Alan Shepard, Stuart Roosa, and Edgar Mitchel were launched from Earth on Jan. 31, 1971 aboard Apollo 14. Their mission was to land on the Moon and carry out experiments on it surface, similar to those of Apollo 12.

The Apollo 14 lunar module touched down on an 8 degree slope in Fra Mauro, which had been the destination of the ill-fated Apollo 13 spacecraft. Astronauts Shepard and Mitchell stayed on the lunar surface for a day and a half, performing two space walks, deploying the ALSEP, and making use of a newly designed Modular Equipment Transporter. This handcart made it easier for them to transport equipment and collect larger amouts of soil and rock.

The astronauts also spent time searching for Cone Crater, which their maps had shown them should be nearby. Time forced them to give up their search while just 30 meters from the crater's rim. Apollo 14 safely returned to Earth on Feb. 9, 1971.


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