Six missions of the entire Apollo program successfully landed on the moon, beginning with Apollo 11 in 1969 and ending with Apollo 17 in 1972. This remarkable achievement in human spaceflight remains unmatched in the history of space exploration.
Interactive Apollo Moon Landings Timeline
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The Apollo Missions That Landed on the Moon: Breaking Down Each Success
Apollo 11: The First Moon Landing
On July 20, 1969, NASA accomplished what seemed impossible: landing humans on the moon. Commander Neil Armstrong and Lunar Module Pilot Buzz Aldrin touched down in the Sea of Tranquility while Command Module Pilot Michael Collins orbited above. Armstrong’s famous words, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” echoed across the globe as he became the first human to walk on lunar soil.
The mission spent 21 hours and 36 minutes on the moon’s surface, collecting 47.5 pounds of lunar samples. Despite the immense pressure and millions watching worldwide, the crew executed their tasks with remarkable precision.
Apollo 12: Lightning Strikes Twice
Just four months after Apollo 11, Commander Charles “Pete” Conrad and Lunar Module Pilot Alan Bean made a pinpoint landing near the Surveyor 3 probe in the Ocean of Storms. Their November 1969 mission proved NASA could land precisely where they aimed rather than just somewhere safe.
The crew spent over 31 hours on the surface, collecting 75 pounds of samples and retrieving parts from Surveyor 3, which had been on the moon since 1967. Command Module Pilot Richard Gordon maintained orbit during their exploration.
Apollo 14: Overcoming Technical Challenges
After the near-disaster of Apollo 13, Alan Shepard (America’s first astronaut in space) commanded this crucial mission in February 1971. Together with Lunar Module Pilot Edgar Mitchell, they landed in the Fra Mauro highlands, Apollo 13’s original destination.
Despite docking problems and computer issues that nearly aborted the landing, they completed the most accurate landing to date. Shepard, at age 47, became the oldest person to walk on the moon, famously hitting two golf balls with a makeshift club he had smuggled aboard.
Apollo 15: The First Extended Scientific Mission
Commander David Scott and Lunar Module Pilot James Irwin landed near Hadley Rille in July 1971, marking a significant upgrade in lunar exploration. This mission introduced the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV), allowing astronauts to travel up to 5 miles from the landing site.
The crew spent nearly three days on the surface, conducting extensive geological surveys and collecting 170 pounds of samples. Command Module Pilot Alfred Worden performed groundbreaking orbital science, photographing 20% of the moon’s surface.
Apollo 16: Exploring the Lunar Highlands
In April 1972, Commander John Young and Lunar Module Pilot Charles Duke landed in the Descartes Highlands while Ken Mattingly orbited above. This mission focused on investigating the lunar highlands, which scientists believed might contain volcanic rocks (they were wrong).
The crew drove their rover 16.6 miles across the surface, collected 211 pounds of rocks, and Duke left a family photo on the moon that remains there today. At 36, Duke became the youngest moonwalker.
Apollo 17: The Grand Finale
The last Apollo lunar landing in December 1972 was also the most ambitious. Commander Eugene Cernan and Lunar Module Pilot Harrison Schmitt (the only professional geologist to walk on the moon) spent three days exploring the Taurus-Littrow Valley while Ronald Evans orbited overhead.
They covered 22.3 miles in their rover, collected a record 243 pounds of samples, and conducted extensive scientific experiments. Cernan’s final words on the surface were poignant: “We leave as we came and, God willing, as we shall return: with peace and hope for all mankind.”
Understanding Why Only Six Apollo Missions Landed on the Moon
The Missions That Didn’t Land
- Apollo 8: First lunar orbit mission (December 1968)
- Apollo 10: Dress rehearsal for the moon landing (May 1969)
- Apollo 13: “Successful failure” due to oxygen tank explosion (April 1970)
Technical and Historical Context
NASA originally planned more lunar landings after Apollo 17. The Apollo program included missions through Apollo 20, but budget cuts and shifting priorities led to their cancellation. The Vietnam War, domestic social programs, and declining public interest all contributed to the decision to end the program.
The Legacy of Apollo Moon Landings: By the Numbers
- Total time spent on the lunar surface: 12.5 days
- Total moonwalks: 14
- Distance traveled on foot and by rover: 69.4 miles
- Lunar samples collected: 842 pounds
- Scientific experiments deployed: 50+
- Total cost of Apollo program (adjusted for inflation): $280 billion
Scientific Achievements from Six Successful Moon Landings
Geological Discoveries
According to the Lunar and Planetary Institute, the Apollo missions revolutionized our understanding of lunar geology. The samples returned revealed:
- The moon’s age (approximately 4.5 billion years)
- Evidence of ancient volcanic activity
- The moon’s likely formation from Earth debris following a massive collision
Ongoing Research
Scientists continue studying Apollo samples using modern technology. In 2019, NASA opened previously sealed samples from Apollo 17 for analysis with contemporary instruments. These studies help prepare for future lunar missions under the Artemis program.
Impact on Technology and Society
The Apollo program’s quest to land on the moon generated over 6,300 patents and numerous innovations we use daily:
- Memory foam
- Cordless power tools
- Water filtration systems
- Scratch-resistant lenses
- Improved food preservation methods
Looking Forward: The Future of Moon Landings
Space.com reports that multiple space agencies and private companies are planning new lunar missions. NASA’s Artemis program aims to return humans to the moon, including landing the first woman and person of color on the lunar surface.
The success rate of Apollo’s six moon landings provides valuable lessons for future missions:
- Thorough preparation and testing are essential
- Backup systems save lives (as proven by Apollo 13)
- Scientific objectives must balance with safety considerations
- International cooperation benefits space exploration
Preserving the Legacy of Six Successful Apollo Moon Landings
The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum maintains many Apollo artifacts, ensuring future generations understand these achievements. The lunar landing sites remain untouched on the moon, preserved by the vacuum of space.
Every Apollo mission that landed on the moon pushed the boundaries of human achievement. From Armstrong’s first step to Cernan’s final bootprint, these six successful missions proved that determination, innovation, and courage could overcome seemingly impossible challenges.
These accomplishments continue inspiring new generations of scientists, engineers, and explorers. As humanity looks toward returning to the moon, the lessons and achievements of the six Apollo landings provide both guidance and inspiration for the challenges ahead.