Apollo 17 astronaut Gene Cernan humorously noted the mundane nature of space travel, reflecting on the long journey to the moon. He remarked that instead of focusing on the mission, he wished he had brought something to pass the time, like crossword puzzles. This light-hearted comment points to the unexpected boredom that can accompany such a significant adventure.
In her book "Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void," author Mary Roach explores the various aspects of space travel, including the personal experiences of astronauts. By highlighting Cernan's quote, she emphasizes both the extraordinary and ordinary elements of life in space, reminding readers that even spectacular missions can sometimes be surprisingly uneventful.