Before Apollo 17 launches, I want to write down all the men who have walked on the Moon, while the list is still incomplete. When it’s complete, whenever that is, I want to have this record.

Neil Armstrong — Apollo 11, Sea of Tranquility, July 20, 1969. First. Twenty minutes, 12 seconds of moonwalk. The most photographed man in the history of the planet, though most photographs of him on the Moon are actually photographs of Buzz Aldrin. Armstrong was holding the camera.

Buzz Aldrin — Apollo 11, Sea of Tranquility, July 20, 1969. Second. Described the Moon as “magnificent desolation.” Brought a small wine cup and host wafer and quietly took communion on the surface, which he’s discussed in interviews since.

Pete Conrad — Apollo 12, Ocean of Storms, November 19, 1969. Third. Reportedly shorter than the height requirement for Mercury, talked his way into the program anyway. Said something irreverent on his first step that I won’t repeat here exactly but that made me laugh. The opposite of Armstrong in temperament but equally excellent as an astronaut.

Alan Bean — Apollo 12, Ocean of Storms, November 19, 1969. Fourth. On his first spaceflight. Now paints the Moon from memory — he’s become a painter since his astronaut career ended, and his paintings of the lunar surface are unique documents because he was there.

Alan Shepard — Apollo 14, Fra Mauro, February 5, 1971. Fifth. First American in space, ten years before becoming the fifth man to walk on the Moon. Hit golf balls. Enough said.

Edgar Mitchell — Apollo 14, Fra Mauro, February 5, 1971. Sixth. On the return flight, reported having a profound experience of universal interconnectedness that changed his subsequent philosophical interests. A complicated, thoughtful man.

Dave Scott — Apollo 15, Hadley-Apennine, July 31, 1971. Seventh. Dropped a feather and a hammer simultaneously on the Moon’s surface to demonstrate Galileo’s principle that all objects fall at the same rate in vacuum. Did it as a planned demonstration, on television. Perfect.

James Irwin — Apollo 15, Hadley-Apennine, July 31, 1971. Eighth. Said the lunar experience made him feel the presence of God. Became a Christian evangelist after his astronaut career. Died in 1991 from a heart attack.

As I write this, Apollo 16 has walked Young and Duke on the Descartes Highlands, making ten. Apollo 17 will add two more, to twelve. And then, for now, the list closes.

Twelve men, from 1969 to 1972, walked on the Moon.

I wonder how long it will be before the list grows again.