As part of NASA’s Apollo program, 24 astronauts ventured on nine missions to the Moon from December 1968 to December 1972. During six of these missions, twelve men walked on the lunar surface. Notably, six of these astronauts drove Lunar Roving Vehicles during the last three missions.

Three astronauts visited the Moon twice. One orbited it once and took a circumlunar path the second time, while the other two landed on the Moon once each. Beyond these 24 men, no human has traveled beyond low Earth orbit.

Although no women have been to the Moon, various non-human animals have. This includes two tortoises, several turtles, and five mice that have circled or orbited our lunar neighbor.

The Apollo Missions: Overview

The Apollo program’s nine crewed missions to the Moon were Apollo 8 and 10 through 17. In contrast, Apollo missions 4 through 6, AS-201, and AS-202 were uncrewed, with AS-203 serving as a test flight. The program also included three other crewed missions: Apollo 1 (AS-204), which tragically ended in a ground-based capsule fire, and Apollo 7 and 9, which tested spacecraft components and docking maneuvers in low Earth orbit. Unfortunately, Apollo missions 18, 19, and 20 were canceled.

The Apollo Applications Program repurposed twelve astronauts to fly unused Apollo command modules for Skylab and the Apollo–Soyuz Test Project. Among the 24 astronauts who journeyed to the Moon, two later commanded Skylab missions, one led Apollo–Soyuz, another commanded Approach and Landing Tests of the Space Shuttle, and two commanded orbital Space Shuttle missions.

Key Figures in NASA’s Apollo Program: Prime Crew Members

Donald K. “Deke” Slayton, one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts, played a pivotal role as NASA’s Director of Flight Crew Operations during the Gemini and Apollo programs. Despite being medically grounded in September 1962 due to paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, Slayton was responsible for all Gemini and Apollo crew assignments. In March 1972, his flight status was reinstated, allowing him to fly on the 1975 Apollo–Soyuz Test Project mission.

The prime crew members selected for missions are organized by their NASA astronaut selection groups, listed in order of their flight assignments. Two versions of the Apollo Command/Service Module (CSM) were developed: Block I for preliminary low Earth orbit testing, and Block II, redesigned for lunar landings.

In Block I, crew positions were titled Command Pilot, Senior Pilot (second seat), and Pilot (third seat). For Block II, the titles were updated to Commander, Command Module Pilot, and Lunar Module Pilot. The second seat pilot had the additional duty of celestial navigation to keep the CSM’s guidance computer accurately calibrated. The third seat pilot acted as a flight engineer, ensuring the spacecraft systems’ optimal performance.

The Class of 1959: Apollo Astronauts

Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom

Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom began his career at NASA in 1959. In 1966, he was selected as Command Pilot for the first crewed Apollo mission, a low Earth orbit test. Tragically, a cabin fire on the launch pad killed Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee on January 27, 1967, ending the mission a month before its scheduled launch.

Walter M. Schirra Jr.

Walter M. Schirra Jr. also began his NASA career in 1959. He was selected in October 1968 as Command Pilot for Apollo 7. This mission was an 11-day, low Earth orbit shakedown test of the three-man Apollo Command/Service Module and marked the first crewed launch for the Apollo project.

Alan B. Shepard Jr.

Alan B. Shepard Jr., America’s first man in space aboard Freedom 7, was initially chosen to command Gemini 3. However, due to Ménière’s disease, he was medically grounded for the duration of the Gemini program and assisted Slayton in Flight Operations. After undergoing corrective surgery, Shepard was restored to flight status and commanded Apollo 14, the third successful Moon landing mission.

The Class of 1962: Apollo Astronauts

Edward H. White II

Edward H. White II was the second-seat astronaut on Gemini 4 and made history with the United States’ first spacewalk. He was selected as Senior Pilot for Apollo 1 but tragically died in the Apollo 1 fire alongside Gus Grissom and Roger Chaffee.

James A. McDivitt

James A. McDivitt, the commander of Gemini 4, was chosen in late 1966 to lead the first Earth orbital flight test of the Apollo Lunar Module with the Command/Service Module (CSM). This mission flew in March 1969 as Apollo 9. After this mission, McDivitt was promoted to Manager of Lunar Landing Operations and later to Manager of the Apollo Spacecraft Program in August 1969.

Frank F. Borman II

Frank F. Borman II, the commander of Gemini 7, was initially selected to command a higher Earth orbit test of the complete Apollo spacecraft. Due to delays with the Lunar Module (LM), Borman’s mission was changed to the first lunar orbital flight of the CSM, which flew as Apollo 8 in December 1968.

James A. Lovell Jr.

James A. Lovell Jr., a veteran of Gemini 7 and commander of Gemini 12, served as Command Module Pilot on Apollo 8. He later commanded Apollo 13, the third lunar landing attempt, which was aborted due to an oxygen tank explosion. Lovell and his crew safely returned to Earth, and he remains the only person to fly to the Moon twice without landing.

Thomas P. Stafford

Thomas P. Stafford, a veteran of Gemini 6A and commander of Gemini 9A, commanded the lunar orbital test of the Lunar Module on Apollo 10. He also commanded the Apollo–Soyuz Test Project mission.

John W. Young

John W. Young, who flew as the second-seat astronaut on Gemini 3 and commanded Gemini 10, served as Command Module Pilot on Apollo 10. Young later commanded the Apollo 16 lunar landing and also led the first Space Shuttle flight, STS-1 Columbia, in April 1981, and STS-9 in November 1983.

Neil A. Armstrong

Neil A. Armstrong, the commander of Gemini 8, commanded Apollo 11, becoming the first human to set foot on the Moon.

Charles “Pete” Conrad Jr.

Charles “Pete” Conrad Jr., the second-seat astronaut on Gemini 5 and commander of Gemini 11, commanded Apollo 12, the second lunar landing. Conrad also commanded Skylab 2, successfully repairing the spacecraft, ensuring the completion of this and two subsequent missions.

The Class of 1963: Apollo Astronauts

Five Veterans of Gemini

David R. Scott

David R. Scott started his space career as the second-seat astronaut on Gemini 8. He then served as Command Module Pilot on Apollo 9 and commanded the Apollo 15 lunar landing.

Eugene A. Cernan

Eugene A. Cernan was the second-seat astronaut on Gemini 9A. He flew as Lunar Module Pilot on Apollo 10 and later commanded Apollo 17, the final lunar landing mission.

Michael Collins

Michael Collins, a second-seat veteran on Gemini 10, served as Command Module Pilot on Apollo 11, the historic first Moon landing mission.

Edwin E. “Buzz” Aldrin Jr.

Buzz Aldrin, who flew as the second-seat astronaut on Gemini 12, was the Lunar Module Pilot on Apollo 11, becoming one of the first two humans to walk on the Moon.

Richard F. Gordon Jr.

Richard F. Gordon Jr. was the second-seat astronaut on Gemini 11. He served as Command Module Pilot on Apollo 12 and was slated to command Apollo 18 before it was canceled.

First-Time Flyers on Apollo

Roger B. Chaffee

Roger B. Chaffee was selected as Pilot for Apollo 1 but tragically died in the cabin fire with Grissom and White.

Donn F. Eisele

Donn F. Eisele flew as the second-seat astronaut on Apollo 7, the first crewed Apollo mission after the Apollo 1 tragedy.

R. Walter Cunningham

R. Walter Cunningham served as the third-seat astronaut on Apollo 7, contributing to this critical mission’s success.

Russell L. “Rusty” Schweickart

Rusty Schweickart flew as Lunar Module Pilot on Apollo 9. During this mission, he performed an EVA to test the portable life support system used on the Moon.

William A. Anders

William A. Anders served as the third-seat astronaut on Apollo 8, the first mission to orbit the Moon.

Alan L. Bean

Alan L. Bean flew as Lunar Module Pilot on Apollo 12 and later commanded Skylab 3, where he led the crew in making crucial repairs to the space station.

The Class of 1965: Scientist Astronaut

In June 1965, NASA introduced a groundbreaking group of five scientist astronauts. Unlike their predecessors, these astronauts were selected based on their advanced academic qualifications, specifically doctorate degrees, rather than test or military fighter pilot experience.

Harrison H. “Jack” Schmitt

Harrison H. “Jack” Schmitt, a geologist, played a crucial role in the Apollo program. He was instrumental in the geological training of the lunar landing astronauts, analyzing returned samples, and preparing mission reports. Initially selected as the Lunar Module Pilot for the Apollo 15 backup crew, Schmitt was also assigned to the prime crew for Apollo 18.

However, when program cutbacks led to the cancellation of Apollo missions 18 through 20, the lunar geological community advocated strongly for a geologist to be included in a lunar mission. Responding to this, Deke Slayton reassigned Schmitt to Apollo 17. Schmitt’s expertise significantly contributed to the mission, making him the only geologist to walk on the Moon.

The Class of 1966: A New Wave of Apollo Astronauts

In April 1966, NASA introduced a new group of 19 astronauts, none of whom had previous spaceflight experience before their Apollo missions.

Kenneth Mattingly II

Originally selected as the Command Module Pilot for Apollo 13, T. Kenneth Mattingly II was exposed to German measles just days before the flight. Grounded by the flight surgeon, he swapped places with his backup and flew on Apollo 16. Mattingly also flew on Space Shuttle missions STS-4 and STS-51-C.

John L. “Jack” Swigert Jr.

John L. “Jack” Swigert Jr. flew as Mattingly’s backup on Apollo 13, stepping in at the last minute due to Mattingly’s potential exposure to German measles.

Fred W. Haise Jr.

Fred W. Haise Jr. served as Lunar Module Pilot on the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission. He was later selected to command the canceled Apollo 19 mission and was named commander of the first crew for the Space Shuttle’s Approach and Landing Tests using the prototype Shuttle Enterprise.

Stuart A. Roosa

Stuart A. Roosa was the Command Module Pilot on Apollo 14, playing a crucial role in this successful mission.

Edgar D. Mitchell

Edgar D. Mitchell flew as Lunar Module Pilot on Apollo 14, contributing to the successful landing and exploration of the Moon.

Alfred M. Worden

Alfred M. Worden served as Command Module Pilot on Apollo 15, overseeing the command module while his crewmates explored the lunar surface.

James B. Irwin

James B. Irwin was the Lunar Module Pilot on Apollo 15, participating in extensive lunar surface exploration.

Charles M. Duke Jr.

Charles M. Duke Jr. first gained public recognition as the capsule communicator during the Apollo 11 Moon landing, famously stating, “…we copy you on the ground. You’ve got a bunch of guys about to turn blue; we’re breathing again. Thanks a lot.” Duke later flew as Lunar Module Pilot on Apollo 16.

Ronald E. Evans Jr.

Ronald E. Evans Jr. served as Command Module Pilot on Apollo 17, the last crewed mission to the Moon.

Apollo Astronaut Trainees Who Never Flew on Lunar Missions

Gordon Cooper Jr.

L. Gordon Cooper Jr., a member of the Mercury Seven, was a veteran of Mercury Faith 7 and the commander of Gemini 5. He was originally slated to command Apollo 14 but was replaced by Alan Shepard. Cooper resigned from NASA in 1970.

Clifton C. “C.C.” Williams Jr.

Clifton C. “C.C.” Williams Jr., from Group 3, was named as the backup Lunar Module Pilot for Schweickart. Tragically, Williams died in a T-38 jet crash near Tallahassee, Florida, on October 5, 1967. Alan Bean replaced him and flew on Apollo 12.

Vance D. Brand

Vance D. Brand, from Group 5, served on the support crews for Apollo 8 and Apollo 13 and was named as the backup Command Module Pilot for Apollo 15. Brand flew on the 1975 Apollo–Soyuz Test Project and later commanded Space Shuttle missions STS-5, STS-41-B, and STS-35.

Edward G. Givens Jr.

Edward G. Givens Jr., also from Group 5, was on the support crew for Apollo 7. He died in a car accident near Houston, Texas, on June 6, 1967.

Joe H. Engle

Joe H. Engle, another Group 5 astronaut, was initially named as the Lunar Module Pilot for Apollo 17 but was replaced by Harrison Schmitt. Engle went on to participate in the Space Shuttle Approach and Landing Tests and commanded STS-2 and STS-51-I.

Moonwalkers: Apollo Astronauts Who Stepped on the Lunar Surface

Twelve men walked on the Moon during six Apollo missions between July 1969 and December 1972. Each of these astronauts landed on the lunar surface only once. Five of the missions involved two or more surface extravehicular activities (EVAs). As of January 2024, four of these Moonwalkers are still alive, with an average age of 90 years. Most Apollo astronauts came from military backgrounds and were on active duty during their NASA service, though a few were considered civilian astronauts regardless of prior military service.

Moonwalkers: Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin of Apollo 11

Honor the legendary Apollo 11 mission with this striking “Moonwalkers” image above. Featuring the official Apollo 11 insignia and the two astronauts who first walked on the moon, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, this image captures the monumental achievement of humankind’s first lunar landing.

Moonwalkers: Alan Bean and Pete Conrad of Apollo 12

Celebrate the incredible achievements of Apollo 12 with this stunning “Moonwalkers” image above. Featuring the official Apollo 12 insignia and the two astronauts who walked on the moon, Alan Bean and Charles “Pete” Conrad, this tribute captures the essence of their historic mission.

Apollo 14: Shepard and Mitchell’s Lunar Adventure

Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell, the dynamic duo of Apollo 14, left their mark on lunar history in 1971. These space cowboys pushed boundaries and expanded our understanding of the Moon.

Shepard, at 47, became the oldest person to walk on the Moon. Talk about life goals! He didn’t just stroll around – he played lunar golf, smacking two golf balls with a makeshift club. One shot went “miles and miles,” according to Shepard’s playful exaggeration.

Mitchell, the sixth person to step on the Moon, brought a scientific mindset to the mission. He conducted the first ESP experiment in space, attempting to transmit thoughts to Earth. While the results were inconclusive, they showed Mitchell’s willingness to think outside the box.

Together, they spent 33 hours on the lunar surface, collecting 94 pounds of Moon rocks and setting up scientific instruments. Their mission included the longest moonwalk of the Apollo program, clocking in at 9 hours and 23 minutes.

Shepard and Mitchell’s experiences shaped them profoundly. Shepard became an advocate for space exploration, while Mitchell founded the Institute of Noetic Sciences to study consciousness.

These Moon men weren’t just colleagues – they formed a lifelong bond. Their shared lunar adventure created a unique camaraderie that lasted well beyond their NASA days.

Harrison Schmitt is noted for stepping onto the lunar surface after Gene Cernan during the last of Apollo 17’s three EVAs. This makes Schmitt the 12th and most recent person to walk on the Moon. When re-entering the lunar module, Cernan was the last to step in, making him the last person to have walked on the Moon.

Alan Shepard, at 47 years and 80 days, was the oldest person to walk on the Moon, while Charles Duke was the youngest at 36 years and 201 days.

Jim Lovell and Fred Haise were scheduled to walk on the Moon during Apollo 13, but the mission was aborted following an explosion in the spacecraft’s service module. Haise was later scheduled to walk on the Moon as commander of Apollo 19, but Apollo 18 and 19 were canceled in 1970.

Joe Engle had trained as the backup Lunar Module Pilot for Apollo 14 alongside Gene Cernan. However, Engle was replaced by Schmitt on the Apollo 17 primary crew. Schmitt, who had been paired with Apollo 12 Command Module Pilot Dick Gordon for the anticipated Apollo 18 mission, replaced Engle after the cancellation of Apollo 18 and 19. This left Gordon as the last Apollo astronaut to train extensively for lunar exploration without landing on the Moon.

Apollo Astronauts Who Orbited the Moon Without Landing

In addition to the twelve astronauts who walked on the Moon, another twelve flew to within 0.001 lunar distance of its surface. As of March 2024, three of these astronauts are still alive, with an average age of 92 years. Each of the six missions with successful lunar landings involved one astronaut remaining in lunar orbit while the other two landed. The three-person crews of Apollo 8 and Apollo 10 also entered lunar orbit, and Apollo 13’s crew looped around the Moon on a free-return trajectory.

All nine crewed missions to the Moon occurred as part of the Apollo program over just under four years, from December 21, 1968, to December 19, 1972. The 24 astronauts who flew to the Moon are the only people who have traveled beyond low Earth orbit.

Jim Lovell, John Young, and Eugene Cernan are the only three people to have flown to the Moon twice. Young and Cernan each set foot on it during their second lunar missions, while Lovell is the only person to have flown to the Moon twice without landing.

During Cernan’s first lunar mission on Apollo 10, he tied the record set by Bill Anders on Apollo 8 as the youngest person to fly to the Moon. Both were 35 years and 65 days old on their launch date and 35 years and 68 days old when entering lunar orbit. The oldest person to fly to the Moon was Alan Shepard, who walked on its surface during Apollo 14. Shepard was 47 years and 74 days old on his launch date and 47 years and 78 days old when he entered lunar orbit.

Jim Lovell and Fred Haise were scheduled to walk on the Moon during Apollo 13, but the lunar landing was aborted due to a major malfunction en route to the Moon. Haise was again scheduled to walk on the Moon as commander of Apollo 19, but Apollo 18 and 19 were canceled on September 2, 1970. Due to Apollo 13’s free-return trajectory, Lovell, Swigert, and Haise flew higher above the Moon’s 180° meridian than anyone else, reaching an altitude of 254 km (158 mi). Coincidentally, because of the Moon’s distance from Earth at the time, they set the current record for the greatest distance from Earth, reaching 400,171 km (248,655 mi) above sea level on April 15, 1970.

Moon Mission Activities: Key Events and Tasks of Apollo Astronauts

Neil Armstrong was the first to descend the lunar module ladder, delivering the iconic words, “That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.” Immediately after, he collected the contingency sample, a scoop of the lunar surface meant to be gathered early in case of an emergency. Armstrong then detached the TV camera from the lunar module and set it up on a tripod.

Buzz Aldrin joined Armstrong on the lunar surface about nineteen minutes later. Together, they struggled a bit but successfully planted the American flag into the lunar soil. Aldrin then positioned himself in front of the video camera and started testing different locomotion techniques on the Moon’s surface.

During these activities, President Nixon called to congratulate Armstrong and Aldrin on their historic achievement, marking a memorable moment in the mission.

 More Astronaut Activities on the Moon

Buzz Aldrin focused on documenting the condition of the spacecraft to ensure it was ready for their upcoming launch. After setting up a couple of experiments with Neil Armstrong, Aldrin hammered a tube into the lunar surface to obtain a core sample. The EVA concluded with the astronauts loading lunar samples into the spacecraft and discarding unneeded items before sealing the hatch. Armstrong handled most of the photography on the surface, which is why there are only five photos of him on the Moon.

David Scott, piloting the LM Falcon, landed at Hadley Rille. He performed the only stand-up EVA through the lander’s top hatch, using it as a vantage point to refine the geology traverses he and James Irwin would undertake. Scott became the first to drive a vehicle on the Moon, piloting the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) and more than doubling Apollo 14’s EVA time. After the final traverse, Scott demonstrated Galileo’s theory by dropping a hammer and a feather for the television camera, showing that all objects fall at the same rate in a vacuum.

James Irwin joined Scott on the lunar surface soon after. As the LRV’s first passenger, Irwin experienced a rough ride as Scott swerved to avoid craters. During the second EVA, Irwin first spotted the Genesis Rock, helping Scott collect this significant piece of the early lunar crust. A man of deep Christian faith, Irwin, quoted from Psalms while on the lunar surface, later became an evangelist.

Apollo Astronauts Selected but Never Flew to the Moon

In addition to the nine lunar missions, the Apollo program included two crewed flights that remained in Earth orbit to test the spacecraft. Apollo 7 was a crewed test flight of the Command/Service Module (CSM), and Apollo 9 was a crewed flight test of both the CSM and the Lunar Module (LM). Of the six astronauts who participated in these missions, five never flew a lunar mission. Moreover, the three Skylab missions and the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) used crewed CSMs in Earth orbit and are considered part of the Apollo Applications Project. While Conrad, Bean, and Stafford commanded three of these four flights, the remaining crew members were rookies who missed the opportunity to fly a Moon mission. Of the seven rookies who flew Skylab, three (Paul J. Weitz, Owen K. Garriott, and Jack R. Lousma) would later fly aboard the Space Shuttle. Vance Brand flew on ASTP as a Command Module Pilot and later commanded three Shuttle missions. Except for Garriott, all Apollo astronauts who also flew on the Shuttle served as commanders.

Apollo 7 Crew

• Walter M. Schirra Jr. – Commander of Apollo 7.
• Donn F. Eisele – Command Module Pilot of Apollo 7.
• R. Walter Cunningham – Lunar Module Pilot of Apollo 7.

Apollo 9 Crew

• James A. McDivitt – Commander of Apollo 9.
• Russell L. “Rusty” Schweickart – Lunar Module Pilot of Apollo 9.

Skylab Missions

• Joseph P. Kerwin – Science Pilot of Skylab 2.
• Paul J. Weitz – Pilot of Skylab 2.
• Owen K. Garriott – Science Pilot of Skylab 3.
• Jack R. Lousma – Pilot of Skylab 3.
• Gerald P. Carr – Commander of Skylab 4.
• Edward G. Gibson – Science Pilot of Skylab 4.
• William R. Pogue – Pilot of Skylab 4.

Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP)

• Vance D. Brand – Command Module Pilot of Apollo-Soyuz Test Project.
• Donald K. Slayton – Docking Module Pilot of Apollo-Soyuz Test Project.

These astronauts made significant contributions to the Apollo program and the broader human spaceflight effort, even though they never flew to the Moon.

Astronauts Lost During the Apollo Program

Three astronauts died on the ground while training for the first crewed Apollo mission, Apollo 1.

Position	Astronaut	Spaceflight Experience
Command Pilot	Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom	Would have been third spaceflight
Senior Pilot	Edward H. White II	Would have been second spaceflight
Pilot	Roger B. Chaffee	Would have been first spaceflight

Outro: Reflecting on the Legacy of Apollo Astronauts

The Apollo program remains a landmark in the history of space exploration, marked by extraordinary achievements and profound sacrifices. From the trailblazing astronauts who walked on the Moon to those who orbited its surface without landing, each contributed to humanity’s understanding of space. The meticulous training of astronauts who never flew lunar missions laid the groundwork for future explorations, while the tragic loss of the Apollo 1 crew underscored the inherent risks of space travel.

The stories of these astronauts—whether they ventured to the Moon, prepared tirelessly for missions they never flew or tragically lost their lives—illustrate the collective effort and unwavering commitment to exploring beyond our home planet. Their legacy continues to inspire new generations of explorers and scientists, pushing the boundaries of human knowledge and potential. As we look back on the Apollo era, we honor their contributions and the indomitable spirit of discovery that drove the program to its historic accomplishments.