Command module Casper and Earthrise, 16-27 April 1972

Vintage chromogenic print on fiber-based paper, printed 1972, numbered "NASA AS16-113-18287" (NASA MSC) in red in top margin, with "A KODAK PAPER" watermark on verso, 20,3 x 25,4 cm, with 3 filing holes in upper margin not affecting the image

An exceptional photograph featuring in the same frame two planets and a manned spacecraft.
Apollo 16 was the only mission to capture such an incredible view of the Command Module with the Earth rising over the lunar horizon in the background, due to unexpected circumstances.

The image was captured from the LM Orion, which was orbiting at a low altitude of 57 km above the lunar surface. This occurred after the CSM Casper failed to execute its circularization burn, putting the landing attempt in jeopardy and forcing the two spacecraft to reunite.

“We had a problem with the Command Module before landing. Mattingly reported a major engine problem that required us to rendezvous. This photograph was taken as we closed in on Mattingly for a little station keeping until they solved the problem. We were co-altitude at the time and started closing when we had Earthrise.
Actually, we were pretty down in the dumps about that time because the mission rules said we were going to abort and not to land. Fortunately, Houston solved the problem.”
Charles Duke (Schick and Van Haaften, p. 119)

Literature:
National Geographic, December 1972, ppg. 862-863 (variant); The View from Space: American Astronaut Photography, 1962–1972, Schick and Van Haaften, pg. 119 (variant).