Which Apollo Missions Went to the Moon?
The Apollo program, conducted by NASA between 1961 and 1972, was a series of human spaceflight missions aimed at landing the first humans on the Moon and returning them safely to Earth. Out of the 17 Apollo missions launched, 11 successfully reached the lunar surface. This article will explore the specific Apollo missions that made the historic journey to the Moon.
Apollo 11: The First Moon Landing
The most iconic Apollo mission, Apollo 11, was launched on July 16, 1969. This mission achieved the first human landing on the Moon on July 20, 1969. Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first and second humans to walk on the lunar surface, respectively. Michael Collins, the third astronaut on board, orbited the Moon in the command module. Apollo 11’s successful lunar landing marked a significant milestone in human space exploration.
Apollo 12: The Second Moon Landing
Following Apollo 11, Apollo 12 was launched on November 14, 1969. This mission aimed to test the lunar module’s capability to land at a preselected site and to gather more samples of the lunar surface. Astronauts Charles “Pete” Conrad and Alan Bean successfully landed on the Moon on November 19, 1969. They collected lunar samples and conducted experiments, making Apollo 12 the second successful Moon landing.
Apollo 14: The First Lunar Surface Extravehicular Activity (EVA)
Apollo 14 was launched on January 31, 1971. This mission marked the first time that an astronaut spent more than 24 hours on the lunar surface. Astronauts Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell landed on the Moon on February 5, 1971. Shepard became the first American to perform a lunar surface extravehicular activity (EVA) and collect lunar samples.
Apollo 15: The First Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV)
Apollo 15 was launched on July 26, 1971. This mission introduced the first lunar roving vehicle (LRV), which allowed astronauts to travel further from the lunar module and conduct more extensive exploration. David Scott and James Irwin landed on the Moon on July 30, 1971, and used the LRV to cover a distance of 17.5 miles (28 kilometers) during their EVA.
Apollo 16: The Deepest Lunar Landing
Apollo 16 was launched on April 16, 1972. This mission marked the deepest lunar landing, reaching a depth of 19.5 miles (31 kilometers) below the lunar surface. Astronauts John Young and Charles Duke landed on the Moon on April 20, 1972. They collected 77 pounds (35 kilograms) of lunar samples and conducted experiments.
Apollo 17: The Last Apollo Moon Landing
The final Apollo mission to the Moon was Apollo 17, launched on December 7, 1972. This mission was the longest and the most extensive of the Apollo Moon landings. Astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt landed on the Moon on December 11, 1972. They spent 75 hours on the lunar surface, collecting 243 pounds (110 kilograms) of lunar samples and conducting experiments.
In conclusion, the Apollo missions that successfully reached the Moon were Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17. These missions not only achieved the goal of landing humans on the Moon but also provided invaluable scientific data and a deeper understanding of the lunar surface.
