Apollo Program

NASA's Apollo Program consisted of 17 missions in the 1960s and 1970s to send the first humans to the moon. The program used the mighty Saturn V rocket to launch three astronauts on Apollo spacecraft. Later missions included a Lunar Module for moon landings. It was NASA's Apollo 11 mission in 1969 that landed the first astronauts on the moon (Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin) while a third (Michael Collins) remained in orbit. NASA's final Apollo moon mission was Apollo 17 in 1972. Apollo spacecraft also flew astronauts to NASA's Skylab space station, with the final Apollo capsule used in the historic Apollo-Soyuz docking mission with the Soviet Union in 1975. Take a look back at NASA's Apollo history here!

Related Topics: The Moon, NASA

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name patch on a blue astronaut flight suit that reads "story musgrave"

Astronaut Story Musgrave's Apollo-flown medallions, shuttle toiletries up for auction

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

A medallion that was flown to the moon for a member of NASA's astronaut corps opened for bids at just $100. The same astronaut's copy of a checklist he used on his first launch also listed for $100.

the three apollo 11 astronauts in a quarantine facility speaking to president richard nixon after returning to the moon in 1969

The Apollo moon landing was real, but NASA's quarantine procedure was not

By Joanna Thompson published

On its face, the Apollo 11 quarantine protocol looked sensible. But the new research suggests that NASA's "planetary protection" efforts were largely for show.

a wristwatch whose face features mickey mouse in a spacesuit exploring the surface of the moon.

Mickey Mouse celebrates the Space Age as astronaut on Disney100 Citizen watch

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

Mickey Mouse has landed on the "face" of the moon. Face, that is, of a wristwatch created to pay homage to The Walt Disney Company and when its 100-year history intersected with the Space Age.

Apollo astronauts Charlie Duke, Harrison Schmitt and Rusty Sweickart join active NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik on the grand marshals float in the National Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 29, 2023 in Washington, D.C..

National Memorial Day Parade 2023 honors Apollo astronauts in US capital (video)

By Robert Z. Pearlman last updated

Apollo lunar module pilots Charlie Duke, Harrison Schmitt and Rusty Schweickart joined active NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik in the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC.

Retired Brig. Gen Buzz Aldrin sits on stage during his honorary promotion ceremony at Space Systems Command at Los Angeles Air Force Base in California on May 5, 2023.

Apollo 11 moonwalker Buzz Aldrin honored as Air Force one-star, Space Force Guardian

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

Buzz Aldrin already had the moon to his credit. Now he has a star. The Apollo 11 astronaut and colonel in the U.S. Air Force received a promotion to the honorary rank of brigadier general.

NASA's Mobile Launch Platform-3 (MLP-3), which was used for the Apollo 11 moon landing mission among other historic flights, is seen lowered to the ground for its demolition.

NASA platform used to launch Apollo 11 to the moon set for demolition

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

NASA's Mobile Launch Platform-3, from which the first astronauts departed Earth to fly around and land on the moon now, itself, only has a limited time left on the planet.

MotoArt's new Lockheed C-121G Super Constellation PlaneTags were cut from various areas on NASA 420, the space agency's Gemini and Apollo tracking station test aircraft, including its exterior and interior surfaces, explaining the different paint and metal finishes.

New MotoArt PlaneTags made from NASA aircraft used by Apollo tracking stations

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

A NASA aircraft used to test the agency's Gemini and Apollo tracking stations has "taken off" as a popular collectible. MotoArt's latest PlaneTag is made from NASA 420, a C-121G Super Constellation.

A sign positioned near one of the giant tracks of NASA's Crawler-Transporter 2 identifies the Artemis-upgraded, Apollo-era vehicle as a Guinness World Record holder.

NASA's Apollo-era crawler, upgraded for Artemis, sets Guinness world record

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

It's taken seven years, but now it's official: one of NASA's Apollo-era rocket movers is the heaviest self-powered vehicle. Guinness World Records confirmed Crawler-Transporter 2 tipped the scale.

NASA's official meatball insignia was designed by James Modarelli in 1959.

NASA chief to give 'State of NASA' address today. Here's how to watch it live.

By Mike Wall published

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson will give his annual 'State of NASA' address, an update about the agency's plans and achievements, on Thursday (March 9) at 3 p.m. ET.

The new Swatch "Mission to the Moon" MoonSwatch features a second hand made of Omega Moonshine Gold.

Swatch debuts Moonshine Gold-touched MoonSwatch, limited by the full moon

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

A year after debuting the MoonSwatch, a 'giant leap' between a Swatch watch and the first chronograph worn on the moon, Swatch and Omega have taken a 'small step' to bringing moonshine to your wrist.

The Lunar rover "Max," from Clearpath Robotics, is being tested in a moon-like facility in Ottawa, Canada. The small company Mission Control is readying software systems in its facility for lunar exploration and beyond.

I drove a rover on a moon-like landscape and felt like an Apollo astronaut (video)

By Elizabeth Howell published

An ordinary office door opened before me, exposing a portal to the moon. When I stepped inside, I felt a strange connection with explorers of all ages.

The Apollo Tether Hook Keychain produced by Luna Replica and Global Effects replicates the carabiner used by Neil Armstrong on the surface of the moon.

Apollo 'hook-up:' New keychain replicates carabiner used on the moon

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

Luna Replicas and Global Effects have produced a new keychain outfitted with a fully functional replica of the tether hook used by Apollo astronauts on the moon.

buzz aldrin salutes next to a poster-sized picture of himself. the poster shows buzz aldrin in a spacesuit saluting next to the american flag on the moon. at the left of the picture is the apollo 11 lunar lander. the surface of the moon is covered in bootprints

NASA's Artemis moon program receives salute from Apollo 11's Buzz Aldrin (video)

By Elizabeth Howell published

Buzz Aldrin, the second person on the moon, paid tribute to people carrying the "torch of deep space exploration" with NASA's Artemis that may put humans on the lunar surface in 2025.

Bulova and Accutron have unveiled new Astronaut and Lunar Pilot timepieces commemorating their historical relationship with NASA and the U.S. space program.

Accutron and Bulova debut new Astronaut and Lunar Pilot timepieces

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

Two watch brands are celebrating the historic associations they had with the U.S. space program. Accutron is reviving its "Astronaut" line, while Bulova is continuing its "Lunar Pilot" series.

uniformed military personnel surround a stretched-out american flag within view of gravestones in arlington cemetery. far in the background are military members standing

Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery

By Elizabeth Howell published

Collins, who died in 2021 at age 90, was the first person to orbit the moon solo during Apollo 11 in 1969.

Apollo 13 pilot Fred Haise, Apollo 16 moonwalker Charlie Duke and STS-1 pilot Bob Crippen joined fellow astronauts Bernard Harris, Anna Fisher and Randy Bresnik for a panel in memory of Apollo 7 pilot Walt Cunningham on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023.

Fellow astronauts remember Apollo 7 pilot Walt Cunningham as friend and mentor

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

Judging by the astronauts who came to remember Walt Cunningham, the Apollo 7 pilot's reach extended far beyond his 1968 launch into space. The group took part in a panel before a funeral service.

For 44 years, a NASA Apollo-era Saturn IB rocket has stood at the Ardmore rest area alongside I-65, welcoming visitors to the state of Alabama. Now, the space agency has decided that the degraded display is no longer safe to keep standing and should be replaced.

Saturn IB rocket no longer safe to keep standing at Alabama rest stop

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

A roadside rocket display that has stood as a welcome sign for drivers entering the state of Alabama is no longer safe to be left standing, according to NASA and the museum charged with its care.

Buzz Aldrin wearing sunglasses next to Anca Faur, wearing a hat with an image of an astronaut and a flag on the front. Both are sitting in an open-top car with a crowd in behind

Apollo 11's Buzz Aldrin and new wife over the moon with wedding, 'as excited as eloping teenagers'

By Elizabeth Howell published

Apollo 11 moonwalker Buzz Aldrin married for the fourth time on Friday (Jan. 20) to Romanian chemical engineer Anca Faur, who is executive vice-president of one of Aldrin's companies.

Six months after leaving the White House, Lyndon B. Johnson becomes the first President of the United States to attend a launch, the liftoff of the Apollo 11 mission on July 16, 1969.

A look back at Lyndon B. Johnson's space legacy, 50 years after his death

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

"There's no question that LBJ's legacy relating to space is under appreciated and undervalued as we look at the history of space exploration."

Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel wears a NASA-inspired moon costume in the Miss Universe 2023 National Costume Show on Jan. 12, 2023 in New Orleans.

Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel celebrates NASA moon landing in Miss Universe 2023 national costume contest

By Tariq Malik published

When Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel took the stage in the Miss Universe 2023 National Costume Show this week, she wore the moon, literally.