Apollo programme

The Apollo program was NASA’s third human spaceflight programme. A total of 11 spaceflights were carried out, the first Apollo flight was in 1968, with the first Moon landing shortly after in 1969 and the last in 1972. Apollo 8 was the first manned mission to the Moon, it circled but did not land on surface. Apollo 11 was the first mission to land on the Moon, the crew included Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin.

Why we need to go back to the Moon © NASA

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The Apollo programme Why we need to go back to the Moon

How 22kg of lunar rocks delivered by Apollo 11 changed our understanding of how the Moon formed (Apollo 11 brought back the first samples from the Moon – seen here arriving at the Lunar Receiving Lab in Houston, Texas © Getty Images)

Space

Apollo 11 How 22kg of lunar rocks changed our understanding of how the Moon formed

24 July 1969 Half an hour after ‘landing’, the Apollo 11 crew, dressed in isolation suits, are met and extracted by a navy diver before being airlifted to the USS Hornet (above). © NASA/JSC

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Apollo programme

The Apollo programme Why we need to go back to the Moon

Apollo 11 How 22kg of lunar rocks changed our understanding of how the Moon formed

Apollo 11 16.50 GMT, 24 July 1969: Splashdown

Is it true that Apollo Moon rock samples went missing?

In pictures Apollo 11 astronauts' exploits on the Moon

On air, on the Moon BBC presenters recall the night of the Moon landing

History Extra Who was Tecwyn Roberts, NASA’s unknown Welsh hero?

Apollo 11 Space Mission Seconds from disaster

Saturn V Inside the rocket that launched Apollo 11 to the Moon

Kevin Fong Why is the Moon landing still relevant 50 years on?

Small steps How NASA prepared for the first moonwalk

Sky At Night Magazine Apollo 11: the story of the Moon landing

Badges of honour 12 unique mission patches for each Apollo crew

BBC Sky At Night Magazine Where did the Apollo astronauts land on the Moon?

Apollo programme

The Apollo programme | Why we need to go back to the Moon

Apollo 11 | How 22kg of lunar rocks changed our understanding of how the Moon formed

Apollo 11 | 16.50 GMT, 24 July 1969: Splashdown

Is it true that Apollo Moon rock samples went missing?

In pictures | Apollo 11 astronauts' exploits on the Moon

On air, on the Moon | BBC presenters recall the night of the Moon landing

History Extra | Who was Tecwyn Roberts, NASA’s unknown Welsh hero?

Apollo 11 Space Mission | Seconds from disaster

Saturn V | Inside the rocket that launched Apollo 11 to the Moon

Kevin Fong | Why is the Moon landing still relevant 50 years on?

Small steps | How NASA prepared for the first moonwalk

Sky At Night Magazine | Apollo 11: the story of the Moon landing

Badges of honour | 12 unique mission patches for each Apollo crew

BBC Sky At Night Magazine | Where did the Apollo astronauts land on the Moon?

The Apollo programme Why we need to go back to the Moon

Apollo 11 How 22kg of lunar rocks changed our understanding of how the Moon formed

Apollo 11 16.50 GMT, 24 July 1969: Splashdown

In pictures Apollo 11 astronauts' exploits on the Moon

On air, on the Moon BBC presenters recall the night of the Moon landing

History Extra Who was Tecwyn Roberts, NASA’s unknown Welsh hero?

Apollo 11 Space Mission Seconds from disaster

Saturn V Inside the rocket that launched Apollo 11 to the Moon

Kevin Fong Why is the Moon landing still relevant 50 years on?

Small steps How NASA prepared for the first moonwalk

Sky At Night Magazine Apollo 11: the story of the Moon landing

Badges of honour 12 unique mission patches for each Apollo crew

BBC Sky At Night Magazine Where did the Apollo astronauts land on the Moon?