NASA Projects Leading to Apollo

NASA Projects Before Apollo

Project Mercury

First U.S. human spaceflight program, designed to put an astronaut in orbit.

Project Gemini

Follow-up program to Mercury, focused on spacecraft maneuvering and docking.

Apollo Program

The program that landed humans on the Moon and returned them safely to Earth.

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
$305 billion
Adjusted to 2025 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

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.

Apollo Lunar Landings

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11

Eagle Has Landed

July 20, 1969
Sea of Tranquility
21h 31m surface stay

Full Mission Report
12

Ocean of Storms

November 19, 1969
Precision Landing
31h 31m surface stay

Pinpoint Mission Analysis
14

Fra Mauro

February 5, 1971
First Color TV Camera
33h 31m surface stay

Moon Mission Details
15

Hadley-Apennine

July 30, 1971
First Lunar Rover
66h 54m surface stay

Lunar Legacy Story
16

Descartes Highlands

April 21, 1972
Lunar Geology Focus
71h 2m surface stay

Highlands Exploration
17

Taurus-Littrow

December 11, 1972
Final Moon Landing
75h 0m surface stay

Final Mission Archive
Apollo Program Infographic

Apollo Program Summary

Apollo 1

Tragic cabin fire during a ground test, killing three astronauts.

Apollo 7

First crewed Apollo mission, tested Command Module in Earth orbit.

Apollo 8

First human mission to orbit the Moon and return safely.

Apollo 9

Tested the Lunar Module in Earth orbit.

Apollo 10

Dress rehearsal for Moon landing, descended close to the lunar surface.

Apollo 11

First Moon landing; Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the surface.

Apollo 12

Second Moon landing, targeted precise landing site.

Apollo 13

Mission aborted due to onboard explosion; crew returned safely.

Apollo 14

Third Moon landing; first use of a handcart to carry equipment.

Apollo 15

First use of Lunar Roving Vehicle to explore the Moon.

Apollo 16

Explored Moon's highlands, first use of ultraviolet camera.

Apollo 17

Final Apollo Moon landing; longest stay and most samples collected.

Historic Apollo Events

Historic Apollo Events

Select an event from the dropdown to learn more.

Apollo Program Essentials

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Global Space Leadership

Discover the world's top space organizations

Explore Agencies →
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Spacesuit Engineering

Deconstructing the iconic Apollo boots

Suit Analysis →
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Moon Trip Duration

How long did Apollo 11's journey take?

Time Breakdown →
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Lunar Module Guide

Essential facts about the Eagle lander

LM Details →
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Last Moonwalkers

Apollo astronauts still with us today

Meet Pioneers →
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Eagle's Final Resting Place

Where is the Apollo 11 LM now?

Locate LM →
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Hidden Figures of Apollo

Luke Talley's crucial contributions

Meet Talley →
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Tech Evolution

Your phone vs Apollo's computer

Compare Tech →
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Apollo's Legacy

42 inventions from the program

View Inventions →

Where is the Apollo 11 Lunar Module Now?

Read the full article
Descent 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
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