Apollo 14 Returns From the Moon

In 1971, Apollo 14 returned to Earth, landing in the Pacific Ocean only a few miles from the rescue ship.

Apollo 14 is not as well known as other Apollo flights. This flight went to the moon. As the third moon landing, scientists wanted the crew of Apollo 14 to perform a detailed exploration. Two crew members spent almost 34 hours on the moon’s surface. The trip lasted nine days.

People like to have fun, including Alan Shepard, one of the crew. He liked to play golf so he snuck two golf balls on board. On the moon, he created a gold club from parts on the ship. He then hit the golf balls in one of the longest drives in history. Either he played golf well, or the low gravity of the moon helped.