The Apollo missions remain one of the most significant achievements in human history, with the landing on the Moon by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin serving as a defining moment for space exploration. While the focus of these missions was to land humans on the Moon, the success of each mission hinged on the expertise of the crew members involved. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide to the crew information of the six successful lunar landing missions: Apollo 11, Apollo 12, Apollo 14, Apollo 15, Apollo 16, and Apollo 17.
| Mission | Commander | Date of Birth | Place of Birth | Date of Death | Place of Death | Age On Launch Date | Status | Year Selected Astronaut | Prior Space Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apollo 11 | Neil Alden Armstrong | 05 Aug 1930 | Wapakoneta, OH | — | — | 38 | Civilian | 1962 | GT-8 |
| Apollo 12 | Charles Conrad, Jr. | 02 Jun 1930 | Philadelphia, PA | 08 Jul 1999 | Ojai, CA | 39 | Commander, USN | 1962 | GT-5, GT-11 |
| Apollo 13 | James Arthur Lovell, Jr. | 25 Mar 1928 | Cleveland, OH | — | — | 42 | Captain, USN | 1962 | GT-7, GT-12, Apollo 8 |
| Apollo 14 | Alan Bartlett Shepard, Jr. | 18 Nov 1923 | East Derry, NH | 21 Jul 1998 | Monterey, CA | 47 | Captain, USN | 1959 | MR-3 |
| Apollo 15 | David Randolph Scott | 06 Jun 1932 | San Antonio, TX | — | — | 39 | Colonel, USAF | 1963 | GT-8, Apollo 9 |
| Apollo 16 | John Watts Young | 24 Sep 1930 | San Francisco, CA | — | — | 41 | 1962 | GT-3, GT-10, Apollo 10 | |
| Apollo 17 | Eugene Andrew Cernan | 14 Mar 1934 | Chicago, IL | — | — | 38 | Captain, USN | 1963 | GT-9A, Apollo 10 |
Apollo 11 Crew Information
The Apollo 11 mission was a historic event in the 20th century, which marked the first time humans set foot on the Moon. The crew consisted of three astronauts – Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins – who worked tirelessly to make the mission a success. In this article, we will explore the details of the Apollo 11 crew, their background, and their achievements.
Background of the Apollo 11 Crew
Neil Armstrong was born on August 5, 1930, in Wapakoneta, Ohio. He was a former United States Navy officer and served as a test pilot for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) before joining NASA. Armstrong was chosen to be the commander of the Apollo 11 mission and became the first human to step on the Moon on July 20, 1969. He famously said the iconic phrase, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
Buzz Aldrin was born on January 20, 1930, in Montclair, New Jersey. He was a former United States Air Force officer and served as a fighter pilot during the Korean War. Aldrin earned a Doctorate of Science in Astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology before joining NASA. He was the lunar module pilot for the Apollo 11 mission and became the second person to step on the Moon after Neil Armstrong.
Michael Collins was born on October 31, 1930, in Rome, Italy. He was a former United States Air Force officer and served as a test pilot before joining NASA. Collins was the command module pilot for the Apollo 11 mission and orbited the Moon while Armstrong and Aldrin were on the lunar surface.
Achievements of the Apollo 11 Crew
The Apollo 11 mission was a monumental achievement for the United States and the world. It was the culmination of years of research, development, and testing by NASA and its partners. The mission proved that humans could successfully land on the Moon and paved the way for future space exploration.
The Apollo 11 crew achieved several significant milestones during the mission. They successfully landed the lunar module, Eagle, on the Moon’s surface in the Sea of Tranquility. Armstrong and Aldrin spent a total of 21 hours on the Moon, conducting experiments and collecting samples. They also planted the American flag and left a plaque that read, “Here Men From The Planet Earth First Set Foot Upon The Moon, July 1969 A.D. We Came In Peace For All Mankind.”
After the mission, the crew was celebrated as heroes and received numerous accolades and honors. They were awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States, and the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, the highest honor awarded to NASA astronauts.
The Apollo 11 crew, consisting of Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins, were instrumental in the success of the mission. Their hard work, dedication, and bravery paved the way for future space exploration and inspired generations of scientists, engineers, and explorers.
The Apollo 11 mission and its crew will always be remembered as one of the greatest achievements in human history. Their legacy will continue to inspire future generations to push the boundaries of what is possible and explore the vast universe beyond our planet.
| Mission | Apollo 11 | Apollo 12 | Apollo 13 | Apollo 14 | Apollo 15 | Apollo 16 | Apollo 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Command Module Pilot | Michael Collins | Richard Francis Gordon, Jr. | John Leonard Swigert, Jr. | Stuart Allen Roosa | Alfred Merrill Worden | Thomas Kenneth Mattingly, II | Ronald Ellwin Evans |
| Date of Birth | 31 Oct 1930 | 05 Oct 1929 | 30 Aug 1931 | 16 Aug 1933 | 07 Feb 1932 | 17 Mar 1936 | 10 Nov 1933 |
| Place of Birth | Rome, Italy | Seattle, WA | Denver, CO | Durango, CO | Jackson, MI | Chicago, IL | St Francis, KS |
| Date of Death | — | — | 27 Dec 1982 | 12 Dec 1994 | — | — | 07 Apr 1990 |
| Place of Death | — | — | Washington, DC | Washington, DC | — | — | Scottsdale, AZ |
| Age On Launch Date | 38 | 40 | 38 | 37 | 39 | 36 | 39 |
| Status | Lt. Colonel | Commander | Civilian | Major | Major | Lt. Commander | Commander |
| Branch | USAF | USN | — | USAF | USAF | USN |
Apollo 12 Crew Information:
The Apollo 12 mission was the second manned mission to land on the Moon, following the historic Apollo 11 mission. The crew members of this mission were Commander Charles “Pete” Conrad Jr., Command Module Pilot Richard F. Gordon Jr., and Lunar Module Pilot Alan L. Bean.
Conrad was a veteran astronaut who had flown on the Gemini 5 and Gemini 11 missions while Gordon and Bean were making their first spaceflight. The mission launched on November 14, 1969, and the crew landed on the Moon’s Oceanus Procellarum region four days later.
During their time on the Moon, the crew members conducted several scientific experiments and collected samples of the lunar surface. They also deployed the first color television camera on the lunar surface, which allowed viewers on Earth to see the Moon in color for the first time.
The mission was not without its challenges, however. During the launch, the Saturn V rocket was struck by lightning twice, causing temporary power outages and instrument malfunctions. Despite this setback, the crew members were able to complete their mission successfully and return safely to Earth.
The Apollo 12 mission marked another important milestone in space exploration and demonstrated the growing expertise of NASA and its astronauts in exploring the Moon. The scientific data and samples collected by the crew members continue to provide valuable insights into the composition and history of the Moon.
| Astronaut | Date of Birth | Place of Birth | Date of Death | Place of Death | Age On Launch Date | Status | Branch | Year Selected | Prior Space Flights | Backup | Backup Status | Backup Branch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Collins | 31 Oct 1930 | Rome, Italy | — | — | 38 | Lt. Colonel | USAF | 1963 | GT-10 | William Alison Anders | Lt. Colonel | USAF |
| Richard Francis Gordon, Jr. | 05 Oct 1929 | Seattle, WA | — | — | 40 | Commander | USN | 1963 | GT-11 | Alfred Merrill Worden | Major | USAF |
| John Leonard Swigert, Jr. | 30 Aug 1931 | Denver, CO | 27 Dec 1982 | Washington, DC | 38 | Civilian | — | 1966 | None | Thomas Kenneth Mattingly, II | Lt. Commander | USN |
| Stuart Allen Roosa | 16 Aug 1933 | Durango, CO | 12 Dec 1994 | Washington, DC | 37 | Major | USAF | 1966 | None | Ronald Ellwin Evans | Commander | USN |
| Alfred Merrill Worden | 07 Feb 1932 | Jackson, MI | — | — | 39 | Major | USAF | 1966 |
Apollo 13 Crew Information
The Apollo 13 mission was scheduled to be the third manned mission to land on the Moon, but it is perhaps best known for the “successful failure” of the mission after an oxygen tank exploded, causing critical damage to the spacecraft. The crew members of this mission were Commander James A. Lovell Jr., Command Module Pilot John L. Swigert Jr., and Lunar Module Pilot Fred W. Haise Jr.
James Lovell was a veteran astronaut who had flown on the Gemini 7 and Gemini 12 missions while John Swigert and Fred Haise were making their first spaceflight. The mission launched on April 11, 1970, and the explosion occurred two days later while the spacecraft was en route to the Moon.
The crew members faced numerous challenges following the explosion, including limited power and oxygen supplies, a damaged spacecraft that was leaking oxygen, and the need to use the lunar module as a “lifeboat” to return safely to Earth. Through their skill and determination, the crew members were able to overcome these challenges and return safely to Earth.
The Apollo 13 mission demonstrated the bravery and resourcefulness of the astronauts and the dedication of the NASA team on the ground, who worked tirelessly to bring them home safely. It also highlighted the inherent risks of space exploration and the importance of rigorous safety protocols.
Despite the mission’s technical failure to reach the Moon, it remains an important part of the history of space exploration and a testament to the bravery and ingenuity of the astronauts and NASA’s mission control team.
| Mission | Lunar Module Pilot | Date of Birth | Place of Birth | Date of Death | Place of Death | Age on Launch Date | Status | Year Selected Astronaut | Prior Space Flights | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apollo 11 | Edwin Eugene Aldrin, Jr. | 20 Jan 1930 | Montclair, NJ | — | — | 39 | Colonel, Sc. D. USAF | 1963 | GT-12 | |||
| Apollo 12 | Alan LaVern Bean | 15 Mar 1932 | Wheeler, TX | — | — | 37 | Commander USN | 1963 | None | |||
| Apollo 13 | Fred Wallace Haise, Jr. | 14 Nov 1933 | Biloxi, MS | — | — | 36 | Civilian | 1966 | None | |||
| Apollo 14 | Edgar Dean Mitchell | 17 Mar 1930 | Pittsburgh, PA | 08-Aug-91 | Glenwood Springs, CO | 40 | Commander, Sc. D. USN | 1966 | None | |||
| Apollo 15 | James Benson Irwin | 01 Mar 1930 | Pittsburgh, PA | — | — | 41 | Lt. Colonel USAF | 1966 | None | |||
| Apollo 16 | Charles Moss Duke, Jr. | 03 Oct 1935 | Charlotte, NC | — | — | 36 | Lt. Colonel USAF | 1966 | LM pilot | Status | Year Selected Astronaut | Prior Space Flights |
| Apollo 17 | Harrison Hagan Schmitt | 03 Jul 1935 | Santa Rita, NM | — | — | 37 | Civilian, Ph. D. | 1965 | None | |||
| Backup | Fred Wallace Haise, Jr. | 14 Nov 1933 | Biloxi, MS | — | — | — | Civilian | — | — | |||
| Backup | James Benson Irwin | 17 Mar 1930 | Pittsburgh, PA | — | — | — | Lt. Colonel USAF | — | — | |||
| Backup | Charles Moss Duke, Jr. | 03 Oct 1935 | Charlotte, NC | — | — | — | Major USAF | — | — | |||
| Backup | Joe Henry Engle | 26 Aug 1932 | Chapman, KS | — | — | — | Lt. Colonel USAF | — | X-15 Flights | |||
| Backup | Harrison Hagan Schmitt | 03 Jul 1935 | Santa Rita, NM | — | — | — | Civilian | — | — | |||
| Backup | Edgar Dean Mitchell | 17 Sep 1930 | Hereford, TX | — | — | — | Captain USN | — | None |
Apollo 14 Crew Information
The Apollo 14 mission was the third manned mission to land on the Moon, and it took place in February 1971. The crew members of this mission were Commander Alan B. Shepard Jr., Lunar Module Pilot Edgar D. Mitchell, and Command Module Pilot Stuart A. Roosa.
Alan Shepard was a veteran astronaut who had flown on the first American suborbital space flight and was the second American to travel into space.
Edgar Mitchell was a former Navy pilot and a scientist who had a Ph.D. in aeronautics and astronautics.
Stuart Roosa was an Air Force veteran who was responsible for operating the command module and conducting experiments in orbit around the Moon.
The Apollo 14 mission was important for several reasons. It was the first mission to carry out scientific experiments on the Moon’s surface, including seismic experiments to study the Moon’s interior and a cosmic ray detector to study the radiation environment around the Moon. The mission also demonstrated improvements in the lunar module’s navigation and landing systems, allowing the crew to land closer to their target landing site.
During the mission, Alan Shepard famously hit two golf balls on the lunar surface using a makeshift golf club he had brought with him. This lighthearted moment provided a brief respite from the otherwise rigorous scientific work being conducted on the Moon.
The Apollo 14 mission also experienced several challenges, including a problem with the lunar module’s docking mechanism and a malfunctioning spacesuit worn by Edgar Mitchell during a spacewalk. Despite these challenges, the mission was a success, and the crew members returned to Earth with valuable scientific data and lunar samples.
Overall, the Apollo 14 mission was a significant step forward in the exploration and scientific study of the Moon. The contributions of the crew members, including their scientific experiments and improvements to spaceflight technology, helped pave the way for future space exploration and scientific discovery.
Apollo 15 Crew Information
The Apollo 15 mission was the fourth manned mission to land on the Moon, and it took place in July 1971. The crew members of this mission were Commander David R. Scott, Lunar Module Pilot James B. Irwin, and Command Module Pilot Alfred M. Worden.
David Scott was a veteran astronaut who had flown on two previous space missions, including the Gemini 8 mission and the Apollo 9 mission. He was also the first person to drive the lunar rover on the Moon.
James Irwin was a former Air Force pilot and a devout Christian who believed that his mission to the Moon was a “gift from God.” Alfred Worden was responsible for operating the command module and conducting experiments in orbit around the Moon.
The Apollo 15 mission was notable for several reasons. It was the first mission to include a lunar rover, which allowed the crew members to travel further from the landing site and collect more samples.
The mission also had a heavier payload than previous missions, which allowed the crew members to conduct more experiments and collect more data about the Moon’s surface and environment.
One of the most significant discoveries made during the Apollo 15 mission was the discovery of the “Genesis Rock,” a sample of lunar crust that was believed to be over 4 billion years old. This discovery provided valuable insights into the early history of the Moon and helped scientists better understand the formation of the solar system.
The Apollo 15 mission was not without controversy, however. In 1971, it was revealed that the crew members had carried unauthorized postal covers to the Moon and back, which they planned to sell as collectors’ items. This action led to a congressional investigation and ultimately resulted in a reprimand for the crew members.
Despite this controversy, the Apollo 15 mission remains an important milestone in space exploration and scientific discovery. The courage and dedication of the crew members who participated in the mission paved the way for future space exploration and inspired generations of scientists and engineers.
Apollo 16 Crew Information
The Apollo 16 mission was a significant achievement in the history of space exploration, and the crew of three astronauts played a crucial role in making it a success. In this article, we will provide detailed information about the Apollo 16 crew and their achievements during this groundbreaking mission.
Commander John W. Young
John W. Young was the commander of the Apollo 16 mission, and he was one of the most experienced astronauts at NASA at the time. Young had previously flown on the Gemini 3, Gemini 10, Apollo 10, and Apollo 13 missions, and his expertise was crucial to the success of the Apollo 16 mission.
During the mission, Young was responsible for overseeing all aspects of the mission, including the deployment of scientific instruments and the collection of lunar samples.
Lunar Module Pilot Charles M. Duke Jr.
Charles M. Duke Jr. was the lunar module pilot for the Apollo 16 mission, and he was a rookie astronaut at the time. Duke had never flown in space before the Apollo 16 mission, but he quickly proved himself to be a valuable member of the crew.
Duke was responsible for piloting the Lunar Module, which was used to land on the Moon’s surface and collect samples. He also conducted three moonwalks, during which he collected several samples and deployed scientific instruments.
Command Module Pilot Thomas K. Mattingly II
Thomas K. Mattingly II was the command module pilot for the Apollo 16 mission, and he had been previously scheduled to fly on the Apollo 13 mission. However, he was replaced due to exposure to German measles.
Mattingly played a crucial role in the mission, as he was responsible for orbiting the Moon and providing communication and support to the other crew members on the lunar surface.
Mission Achievements
The Apollo 16 crew achieved several important milestones during their mission. They conducted three moonwalks, during which they collected a total of 213 pounds of lunar samples.
These samples were critical for scientists to study the Moon’s composition and history. The crew also deployed several scientific instruments, including the Lunar Sounder and the Far Ultraviolet Camera/Spectrograph, which were used to study the Moon’s internal structure and atmosphere, respectively.
Another significant achievement of the Apollo 16 mission was the deployment of the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV). The LRV was the first vehicle ever used on the Moon, and it allowed the crew to travel a total of 16 miles across the lunar surface. The LRV was a critical component of the mission, as it enabled the crew to cover a larger area and collect more scientific data.
The Apollo 16 crew’s achievements during the mission were remarkable, and their expertise and dedication were critical to its success. Commander John W. Young, Lunar Module Pilot Charles M. Duke Jr., and Command Module Pilot Thomas K. Mattingly II all played crucial roles in the mission, and their contributions will be remembered as significant milestones in the history of space exploration.
Apollo 17 Crew Information:
The Apollo 17 mission was the last manned mission to the Moon and took place in December 1972. The crew members of this mission were Commander Eugene Cernan, Lunar Module Pilot Harrison Schmitt, and Command Module Pilot Ronald Evans.
Eugene Cernan was a veteran astronaut who had flown on two previous space missions, including the Gemini 9A mission and the Apollo 10 mission.
Harrison Schmitt was a geologist who was responsible for conducting several experiments on the lunar surface.
Ronald Evans was responsible for operating the command module and conducting experiments in orbit around the Moon.
The Apollo 17 mission was notable for several reasons. It was the first mission to include a scientist as a crew member, and it was also the first mission to take place during the lunar nighttime.
The crew members were able to collect a variety of samples from different locations on the Moon, and they conducted several experiments to study the Moon’s geological features and environment.
In conclusion, the success of the Apollo lunar landing missions depended on the skill and dedication of the crew members who participated in them. These astronauts were among the most highly trained and skilled individuals in the world, and their contributions to science and exploration will always be remembered.
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