Charles Duke Quotes & Sayings

Of course, mankind would not have landed on the Moon in 1969, were it not for two things: conquered Nazi rocket technology and post-war anti-Communist paranoia in the United States. — Charles Duke

We've been to the Moon nine times. Why would we fake it nine times, if we faked it? — Charles Duke

I was able to look out the window to see this incredible sight of the whole circle of the Earth. Oceans were crystal blue, the land was brown, and the clouds and the snow were pure white. And that jewel of Earth was just hung up in the blackness of space. — Charles Duke

The only time I had what you would call life-threatening fear was when I was on the Moon. Towards the end of our stay, we got excited and we were going to do the high jump, and I jumped and fell over backwards. That was a scary time, because if the backpack got broken, I would have had it. But everything held together. — Charles Duke

It was a texture. The blackness was so intense. — Charles Duke

You wouldn't want to land on the Moon and launch to Mars. That would be very inefficient. — Charles Duke

Buzz Aldrin doesn't think we need to go back to the Moon - that we should go straight on to Mars. I'm more on the side that says we should go back to the Moon. I think there's a lot we can utilise the Moon for scientifically. — Charles Duke

I always respected Neil Armstrong highly. He was probably the coolest under pressure of anyone I ever had the privilege of flying with. I never saw him flustered. — Charles Duke

Roger, we copy. It was beautiful from here, Tranquility. Over. — Charles Duke

Roger, we're go on that alarm — Charles Duke

I think the future of lunar bases has to be somewhere around the South or North Pole. You have less variation in temperature and more daylight hours. — Charles Duke

I think a Moon base is not necessary to get to Mars, but I think it will be helpful. It would give you a chance to develop and mature some systems; long duration, deep space stuff; and you're close enough to get some help, via radio from Earth. — Charles Duke

Roger, Tranquility. We copy you on the ground. You've got a bunch of guys about to turn blue. We're breathing again. Thanks a lot. — Charles Duke

I'm proud to be an American, I'll tell you. What a program and what a place and what an experience. — Charles Duke

The Moon was the most spectacularly beautiful desert you could ever imagine. Unspoilt. Untouched. It had a vibrancy about it and the contrast between it and the black sky was so vivid, it just made this impression of excitement and wonder. — Charles Duke

Two months after I got out of test pilot school, I saw an advert that said NASA was recruiting more astronauts. The best job you could have as a test pilot was being an astronaut, so I volunteered. — Charles Duke

It certainly is possible to construct a moon base in such a way that crews could stay for extended periods of time. — Charles Duke

Roger, Tranquility. Be advised there are lots of smiling faces in this room and all over the world. Over. — Charles Duke

My walk on the moon lasted three days. My walk with God will last forever. — Charles Duke