The History

Schmitt at Littrow Valley Harrison H. Schmitt, USGS geologist and Apollo 17 astronaut, is the only geologist to visit the moon

The USGS Astrogeology Research Program has a rich history of participation in space exploration efforts and planetary mapping, starting in 1963 when the Flagstaff Science Center was established to provide lunar geologic mapping and assist in training astronauts destined for the Moon.

Throughout the years, the Program has participated in processing and analyzing data from various missions to the planetary bodies in our solar system, assisting in finding potential landing sites for exploration vehicles, mapping our neighboring planets and their moons, and conducting research to better understand the origins, evolutions, and geologic processes operating on these bodies.

Historical Tour

• Flagstaff Science Center: How and why the Science Center was established
• Gene Shoemaker: The Founder of the USGS Astrogeology Research Program
• Astronaut Training: The role of Flagstaff and the USGS in astronaut training, equipment testing, and mission simulations
• Harrison H. Schmitt: a USGS geologist goes to the Moon
• Recommended Reading: Books and other resources about the history of the USGS Astrogeology Research Program and the role of scientists in the early days of the U.S. space program

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