Charlie Duke was born in Charlotte, NC, in 1935. Led by a desire to serve his country, Duke attended the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Following graduation, he was commissioned into the U.S. Air Force, and thus began a life-long love of flying. Over the years as fighter pilot, test pilot, and then encouraged by his commandant Chuck Yeager to become an Apollo astronaut, this love of adventure grew to the pinnacle of achievement when on April 20, 1972, Charlie Duke, along with John Young, landed on the surface of the moon. Their stay on the moon was a record-setting 71 hours and 14 minutes.
Duke and Young spent more than 20 hours exploring the moon. This involved emplacement and activation of scientific equipment and experiments, the collection of nearly 213 pounds of rock and soil samples, and the evaluation and use of Rover-2 (their lunar car) over the roughest and blockiest surface yet encountered on the moon. Charlie Duke filmed the only pictures made of the rover in action - it's record setting speed was 17 kilometers per hour. During Apollo's three day return from the moon, Duke experienced a space walk with the third crew member, Ken Mattingly. The view over one shoulder was filled with a brilliant full moon and over the other hung a crescent earth - a thin sliver of blue and white. "Fantastic!" Charlie would exclaim again and again.
Contact a Speaker Booking Agent to inquire about Charlie Duke speaker booking, speaking fee details, and availability.
Highlights and interviews featuring Charlie Duke.
Looking to book Charlie Duke for your next event? As a Astronaut, 10th man to walk on the moon, Charlie Duke brings a powerful story and engaging presence to corporate events, conferences, leadership programs, charity galas, and special appearances. The speaking fee for Charlie Duke typically falls within the $20,000 - $30,000 range, depending on factors such as event location, type, and duration. Speaker Booking Agency offers transparent pricing and will provide a detailed quote tailored to your event needs. To check availability, request a quote, or learn more about booking Charlie Duke, contact Speaker Booking Agency at 888-752-5831 or submit a booking request.
