Apollo Program: Pioneering Achievements in Space Exploration
Lunar Landings
6
Successful missions between 1969-1972
Moonwalkers
12
Astronauts who walked on the Moon
Lunar EVA Time
80+ hours
Total time spent on lunar surface
Program Cost
$283 billion
Adjusted to 2024 dollars
Peak Workforce
Between 400,000 and 500,000 people
People involved at program's peak
Lunar Samples
842 lbs
Moon rocks and soil returned to Earth
Apollo 11 Mission Timeline
July 16, 1969
Launch from Kennedy Space Center
Apollo 11 lifts off from Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, at 9:32 a.m. EDT.
July 19, 1969
Lunar Orbit Insertion
Apollo 11 enters lunar orbit after a three-day journey.
July 20, 1969
Eagle Lands on the Moon
The Lunar Module 'Eagle' lands on the Moon's Sea of Tranquility at 4:17 p.m. EDT.
July 20, 1969
First Steps on the Moon
Neil Armstrong becomes the first human to step onto the lunar surface at 10:56 p.m. EDT, famously declaring: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."
July 21, 1969
Lunar Flag Assembly
Armstrong and Aldrin plant the U.S. flag on the lunar surface.
July 21, 1969
Lunar Liftoff
After 21 hours and 36 minutes on the lunar surface, Eagle lifts off to rejoin Collins in the Command Module.
July 24, 1969
Splashdown
Apollo 11 splashes down in the Pacific Ocean at 12:50 p.m. EDT, about 900 miles southwest of Hawaii.
Historic Apollo Events
Select an event from the dropdown to learn more.
Where is the Apollo 11 Lunar Module Now?
Read the full articleDescent Stage
Remains on the Moon's surface at the Sea of Tranquility
Has been there since July 20, 1969
Served as the launch pad for the ascent stage
Ascent Stage
Jettisoned after astronauts returned to the Command Module
Left in lunar orbit on July 21, 1969
Exact fate unknown, believed to have crashed onto the lunar surface
Current Status
Descent stage remains on the Moon's surface
The ascent stage was previously presumed to have impacted the Moon, but recent analysis suggests it may still be in orbit around the Moon.
No part of the original Apollo 11 Lunar Module returned to Earth
Full-scale replicas and training modules are available in museums worldwide