Who piloted Apollo 16’s command module while two crewmates worked on the lunar surface?

Thomas Mattingly piloted Apollo 16’s command module while two crewmates worked on the lunar surface.

Mattingly, commonly known as Ken Mattingly, remained in lunar orbit aboard the command module Casper. Commander John Young and lunar module pilot Charles Duke descended to the Descartes Highlands, where they conducted geological investigations and drove the lunar roving vehicle.

Apollo 16 launched on 16 April 1972 and landed on 21 April. Mattingly used Casper’s instruments to photograph and measure the Moon from orbit, supporting the surface team’s scientific work. He also performed a spacewalk during the return journey to retrieve film and inspection data.

Mattingly had originally been assigned to Apollo 13 but was removed from that crew shortly before launch because of concern about possible exposure to German measles. His Apollo 16 flight therefore became his first space mission.