414. [Apollo 16] THE LM ORION LIFTING OFF FROM THE LUNAR SURFACE NASA, 16-27 April 1972 Printed 1972. Vintage chromogenic print on fibre-based Kodak paper [NASA image S-72-35614]. With NASA caption and "A Kodak Paper" watermark on the reverse, numbered "NASA S-72-35614" in red in the top margin (issued by NASA Manned Spacecraft Centre, Houston, Texas). 20.3 x 25.4 cm. (8 x 10 in.) Historical context A spectacular departure from the Moon, witnessed by the world. In a spray of rocket exhaust and fluttering foil insulation, the ascent stage of Lunar Module Orion blasts off from the Moon, beginning its journey back to lunar orbit. This remarkable still image is a reproduction from the live colour TV transmission, captured by the RCA camera mounted on the Lunar Rover and remotely operated by Mission Control. This historic broadcast gave the world a front-row seat to Apollo 16's departure, marking the final moments of human presence on the Descartes Highlands before Orion soared toward home. As the LM lifted off, Charles Duke called out the moment from inside the cabin: 175:31:42 Young: Engine Arm to Ascent. 175:31:44 Duke: Pro. She took. Standby; 3, 2, 1 ... 175:31:49 Duke: Lift-Off. There we go! [...] 175:32:00 Duke: Pitchover. Pitchover is on time. 175:32:02 Irwin (Mission Control): Roger. We saw lift-off (on the Rover TV). 175:32:05 Young: Okay; she's right on. 175:32:06 Duke: What a ride! What a ride! [...] 175:32:19 Duke: Lot more wallowing than I thought (there would be). 175:32:21 Young: Yeah. [NASA caption] APOLLO 16 TV PICTURE/LM LIFTOFF – The Apollo 16 Lunar Module "Orion's" ascent stage makes its liftoff from the lunar surface in this reproduction taken from a colour television transmission made by the RCA colour TV camera mounted on the Lunar Roving Vehicle. The LRV-mounted TV camera, remotely controlled from the Mission Control Centre, made it possible for people on Earth to watch the LM's spectacular launch from the Moon. The liftoff was a 7,246-foot ground elapsed event at 7:26 p.m. (CST), April 23, 1972. The "Orion" ascent stage, with Astronauts John W. Young and Charles M. Duke Jr. aboard, returned from the lunar surface to rejoin the Command and Service Modules orbiting the Moon. Astronaut Thomas K. Mattingly II remained with the CSM in lunar orbit while Young and Duke descended in Orion to explore the Descartes landing site. The LM's descent stage remained behind, serving as a launching platform for the return to orbit. : Apollo 16 lift off from the Moon - TV feed