Preston teenager watched Apollo 17 launch with Neil Armstrong

After Gethings’ exhibitions were photographed by the Lancashire Evening Post, his life changed forever.

“A few months after the photographs were published I received a letter out of the blue from the United States Embassy in London,” he recalled.

“It said ‘We have a very special project to discuss with you regarding the forthcoming Apollo 17 mission’.”

Gethings was then told he was one of 16 UK students being invited for an interview at the embassy.

One of the students was to be selected by Nasa for an all-expenses paid,19-day trip to watch Apollo 17’s launch.

“I didn’t hear anything for a couple of weeks,” he said.

“When I got the letter of congratulations inviting me on the trip I couldn’t believe it – it was amazing!”