The Fascinating History of Lunar Exploration

Human Exploration of the Moon

Lunar exploration began with the Apollo missions in the 1960s and 1970s, culminating in the famous Apollo 11 landing in 1969. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to set foot on the Moon, while Michael Collins orbited above in the command module. These missions provided valuable data about the Moon’s surface, helping scientists learn about its geological history.

Today, lunar exploration continues with missions from NASA, China, and private companies. NASA’s Artemis program aims to return astronauts to the Moon and establish a sustainable human presence, paving the way for future missions to Mars and beyond.

Did You Know?

• The Apollo 11 mission was the first to land humans on the Moon.
• The Moon has no atmosphere, so there’s no sound.
• The Moon is slowly moving away from Earth by about 1.5 inches per year.
• The Artemis program will land the first woman on the Moon.