Starting in 1963, the USGS Astrogeology Science Center played an important role in training astronauts destined to explore the lunar surface and in supporting the testing of equipment for both manned and unmanned missions. Gene Shoemaker founded the Astrogeology Research Program in Flagstaff during the early 1960s from the USGS’s original Menlo Park, California Astrogeologic Studies Group. Shoemaker chose Flagstaff due to its proximity to the volcanic craters and lava flows of the San Francisco Volcanic Field and Meteor Crater.
Container is a small mint tin. Parking is available along Gemini Road and in the parking lot of nearby Buffalo Park. The Science Center is normally open to the public with displays in the lobby, including the original Grover lunar rover, however due to COVID concerns, the center is currently CLOSED. This cache is part of the Lunar Legacy Geocache Series sponsored by Arizona Historical Society and all Flagstaff Lunar Legacy celebration partners. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the nation's lunar landing and surface walk, July 20, 1969-2019.