The Apollo missions that successfully landed on the moon were Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17.
Table of Contents
The Apollo Program: A Brief Overview
The Successful Apollo Moon Landings
- Apollo 11: The First Footprints
- Apollo 12: Precision Pinpoint Landing
- Apollo 14: Golfing on the Lunar Surface
- Apollo 15: The First Lunar Rover
- Apollo 16: Exploring the Lunar Highlands
- Apollo 17: The Last of the Apollo Moon Landings
The Legacy of the Apollo Moon Landings
Introduction
Humanity’s venture into the cosmos represents one of the most significant achievements of the 20th century. The Apollo program, helmed by NASA, led the forefront of these endeavors.
This article aims to provide an in-depth review of the Apollo missions that successfully reached the moon’s surface, marking an indelible impression on human history.
The Apollo Program: A Brief Overview
The Apollo program was a monumental project by NASA, the United States national space agency.
Initiated in 1961 and culminating in 1972, it aimed to fulfill President John F. Kennedy‘s goal of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to Earth by the end of the decade[1].
This program led to significant advancements in technology, science, and engineering that reshaped our understanding of space and our place within it.
The Successful Apollo Moon Landings
While the Apollo program consisted of 17 missions, only six successfully landed on the moon.
These were Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17. Each mission added unique contributions to our understanding of the moon and cemented the legacy of the Apollo program.
If you’re interested in exploring the wonders of space beyond the Apollo missions, be sure to check out our recommended guide to the best telescopes in 2023 here. Discover the perfect telescope to embark on your own astronomical journey and witness the beauty of the cosmos firsthand.
Apollo 11: The First Footprints
On July 20, 1969, Apollo 11, manned by astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins, made history. Armstrong and Aldrin descended to the lunar surface in the Lunar Module “Eagle,” while Collins orbited overhead in the Command Module “Columbia.”
Armstrong’s famous words, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” marked humanity’s first contact with another celestial body[2].
Apollo 12: Precision Pinpoint Landing
Apollo 12, the second mission to land on the moon, launched on November 14, 1969.
This mission, manned by Charles Conrad, Alan Bean, and Richard Gordon, aimed to perform a precise landing at a specific site on the lunar surface.
Apollo 12 successfully landed near the Surveyor III probe in the Ocean of Storms, demonstrating the feasibility of targeted landings for future missions[3].
Apollo 14: Golfing on the Lunar Surface
The third successful moon landing, Apollo 14, launched on January 31, 1971.
Alan Shepard, Stuart Roosa, and Edgar Mitchell made up the crew. Apollo 14 is notable for Shepard’s impromptu golf game, making him the first and only person to play golf on the moon.
Beyond this light-hearted moment, the mission made significant scientific contributions, including the deployment of the Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package, designed to gather data on the moon’s seismic, atmospheric, and solar properties.
Apollo 15: The First Lunar Rover
Apollo 15 marked a new level of lunar exploration. Launched on July 26, 1971, with David Scott, Alfred Worden, and James Irwin aboard, this mission introduced the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV).
The LRV significantly expanded the astronauts’ range and allowed them to collect a more diverse set of lunar samples from regions such as the Hadley Rille and the Apennine Mountains[5].
Apollo 16: Exploring the Lunar Highlands
On April 16, 1972, Apollo 16, crewed by John Young, Ken Mattingly, and Charles Duke, embarked on the penultimate moon landing.
The mission targeted the Descartes Highlands, a lunar region distinct from the mare plains where previous missions had landed.
The geological samples from this mission contributed to a more comprehensive understanding of the moon’s geologic history[6].
Apollo 17: The Last of the Apollo Moon Landings
Apollo 17, launched on December 7, 1972, was the final mission of NASA’s Apollo program. Manned by Eugene Cernan, Harrison Schmitt, and Ronald Evans, it was unique in that Schmitt was a trained geologist.
The mission spent over three days on the lunar surface and gathered a record amount of rock and soil samples. Cernan, the last astronaut to leave the moon’s surface, left with the words, “We leave as we came and, God willing, as we shall return, with peace and hope for all mankind”[7].
The Legacy of the Apollo Moon Landings
The Apollo moon landing left an indelible mark on human history. They not only accomplished the audacious goal of landing humans on the moon and returning them safely to Earth but also advanced our scientific understanding of the moon and fostered technological innovations that have had far-reaching impacts beyond space exploration.
Today, as we look forward to future lunar missions with Artemis, we stand on the shoulders of the Apollo giants.
Conclusion
The Apollo missions that landed on the moon represent an unprecedented era of human exploration and achievement.
They challenged our perceptions, expanded our knowledge, and sparked a global interest in space exploration that continues to this day.
As we step into the future of lunar exploration, we do so with the invaluable legacy of the Apollo program guiding us.
While the Apollo missions yielded a wealth of knowledge, some discoveries stood out as particularly significant. To learn more about the most important discovery of the Apollo program, check out our in-depth article here.
FAQ
- Question: What was the primary goal of the Apollo program? Answer: The primary goal of the Apollo program was to land a man on the moon and return him safely to Earth by the end of the 1960s.
- Question: Which Apollo mission was the first to land on the moon? Answer: Apollo 11 was the first mission to land on the moon on July 20, 1969.
- Question: What were some significant firsts achieved during the Apollo 15 mission? Answer: Apollo 15 marked the first use of the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV), which allowed astronauts to travel further and collect more diverse lunar samples.
- Question: Who were the astronauts aboard the last Apollo mission, Apollo 17? Answer: The astronauts aboard Apollo 17 were Eugene Cernan, Harrison Schmitt, and Ronald Evans.
- Question: How many Apollo missions successfully landed on the moon? Answer: Six Apollo missions successfully landed on the moon: Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17.
References.
[1]: NASA. (n.d.). Apollo Program. https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/index.html
[2]: NASA. (n.d.). Apollo 11. https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/apollo11.html
[3]: NASA. (n.d.). Apollo 12. https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/apollo12.html
[4]: NASA. (n.d.). Apollo 14. https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/apollo14.html
[5]: NASA. (n.d.). Apollo 15. https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/apollo15.html
[6]: NASA. (n.d.). Apollo 16. https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/apollo16.html
[7]: NASA. (n.d.). Apollo 17. https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/apollo17.html
For a comprehensive understanding of the Apollo program, including its history, missions, and outcomes, refer to our detailed guide here. It serves as a valuable resource for anyone seeking in-depth knowledge about this monumental endeavor.