Astronaut Profile
Charles M. Duke Jr.
Lunar Module Pilot
Charles Duke became the tenth and youngest person to walk on the Moon as Apollo 16's Lunar Module Pilot, after his voice had already become famous guiding Apollo 11's landing from Mission Control.
OrbitingTruths Archive
Lunar Module Pilot • Living
Biography
The person behind the mission
Charles M. Duke Jr. was a United States Air Force pilot and NASA astronaut best known as the CAPCOM who talked Apollo 11 down to the lunar surface in 1969, telling Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, "You got a bunch of guys about to turn blue, we're breathing again." Three years later he became Lunar Module Pilot on Apollo 16, walking on the Moon in the Descartes Highlands across three moonwalks totaling more than 20 hours. At 36 years old, he remains the youngest person to have walked on the Moon.
Astronaut Details
Born
October 3, 1935
Birthplace
Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Role
Lunar Module Pilot
Program
Apollo
Time in Space
11 days, 1 hour
EVA Time
20 hours, 14 minutes
Missions
Apollo 16
Recognition
Awards & Honors
- NASA Distinguished Service Medal
- NASA Exceptional Service Medal
- NASA Space Flight Medal