List of 12 NASA Astronauts Who Have Walked on the Moon: The Moon has always been a source of fascination for humanity, and the dream of walking on its surface became a reality for a select group of astronauts during NASA’s Apollo program. Between 1969 and 1972, twelve American astronauts had the extraordinary privilege of walking on the Moon. This article delves into the lives and achievements of these lunar pioneers.
List of 12 NASA Astronauts Who Have Walked on the Moon
| Astronaut | Mission | Date of Moonwalk | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neil Armstrong | Apollo 11 | July 21, 1969 | The first human to walk on the Moon. |
| Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin | Apollo 11 | July 21, 1969 | The second person to walk on the Moon. |
| Charles “Pete” Conrad | Apollo 12 | November 19-20, 1969 | Known for his humorous remark upon stepping on the Moon. |
| Alan Bean | Apollo 12 | November 19-20, 1969 | Became an artist depicting space exploration. |
| Alan Shepard | Apollo 14 | February 5-6, 1971 | Hit two golf balls on the lunar surface. |
| Edgar Mitchell | Apollo 14 | February 5-6, 1971 | Explored consciousness and extraterrestrial life post-NASA. |
| David Scott | Apollo 15 | July 31-August 2, 1971 | Conducted extensive geological research on the Moon. |
| James Irwin | Apollo 15 | July 31-August 2, 1971 | Founded a religious organization after his lunar experience. |
| John Young | Apollo 16 | April 21-23, 1972 | One of the most experienced astronauts with a career spanning over four decades. |
| Charles Duke | Apollo 16 | April 21-23, 1972 | Remains an advocate for space science. |
| Eugene Cernan | Apollo 17 | December 11-14, 1972 | The last person to leave the lunar surface. |
| Harrison Schmitt | Apollo 17 | December 11-14, 1972 | Geologist who provided valuable insights into the Moon’s geology. |
1. Neil Armstrong
- Mission: Apollo 11
- Date of Moonwalk: July 21, 1969
Neil Armstrong made history as the first human to set foot on the Moon. His famous words, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” echoed around the world. Armstrong’s journey to the Moon marked a significant milestone in space exploration.
2. Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin
- Mission: Apollo 11
- Date of Moonwalk: July 21, 1969
Buzz Aldrin followed Armstrong onto the lunar surface, becoming the second person to walk on the Moon. Aldrin’s contributions to the mission were crucial, and he later became an advocate for space exploration and science education.
3. Charles “Pete” Conrad
- Mission: Apollo 12
- Date of Moonwalk: November 19-20, 1969
Pete Conrad commanded the Apollo 12 mission and became the third person to walk on the Moon. His sense of humour and enthusiasm was evident when he humorously remarked, “Whoopee! Man, that may have been a small one for Neil, but that’s a long one for me.”
4. Alan Bean
- Mission: Apollo 12
- Date of Moonwalk: November 19-20, 1969
Alan Bean, the lunar module pilot for Apollo 12, was the fourth person to walk on the Moon. After his NASA career, Bean pursued his passion for art, creating paintings that depicted his experiences in space.
5. Alan Shepard
- Mission: Apollo 14
- Date of Moonwalk: February 5-6, 1971
Alan Shepard, the first American in space, became the fifth person to walk on the Moon during the Apollo 14 mission. Shepard famously hit two golf balls on the lunar surface, showcasing the lighter side of space exploration.
6. Edgar Mitchell
- Mission: Apollo 14
- Date of Moonwalk: February 5-6, 1971
Edgar Mitchell, the lunar module pilot for Apollo 14, was the sixth person to walk on the Moon. Mitchell’s experiences in space led him to explore the nature of consciousness and the potential for extraterrestrial life.
7. David Scott
- Mission: Apollo 15
- Date of Moonwalk: July 31-August 2, 1971
David Scott commanded the Apollo 15 mission and became the seventh person to walk on the Moon. Scott and his crew conducted extensive geological research, significantly contributing to our understanding of the Moon’s composition.
8. James Irwin
- Mission: Apollo 15
- Date of Moonwalk: July 31-August 2, 1971
James Irwin, the lunar module pilot for Apollo 15, was the eighth person to walk on the Moon. Irwin’s experiences on the lunar surface deepened his spiritual beliefs, and he later founded a religious organization.
9. John Young
- Mission: Apollo 16
- Date of Moonwalk: April 21-23, 1972
John Young commanded the Apollo 16 mission and became the ninth person to walk on the Moon. Young’s career with NASA spanned over four decades, making him one of the most experienced astronauts in history.
10. Charles Duke
- Mission: Apollo 16
- Date of Moonwalk: April 21-23, 1972
Charles Duke, the lunar module pilot for Apollo 16, was the tenth person to walk on the Moon. Duke’s enthusiasm and dedication to space exploration were evident throughout his career, and he remains an advocate for space science.
11. Eugene Cernan
- Mission: Apollo 17
- Date of Moonwalk: December 11-14, 1972
Eugene Cernan commanded the Apollo 17 mission and became the eleventh person to walk on the Moon. Cernan holds the distinction of being the last person to leave the lunar surface, famously stating, “We leave as we came, and, God willing, as we shall return, with peace and hope for all mankind.”
12. Harrison Schmitt
- Mission: Apollo 17
- Date of Moonwalk: December 11-14, 1972
Harrison Schmitt, the lunar module pilot for Apollo 17, was the twelfth and final person to walk on the Moon. Schmitt, a geologist, brought a scientific perspective to the mission, contributing valuable insights into the Moon’s geology.
FAQs: List of 12 NASA Astronauts Who Have Walked on the Moon
Q1: How many people have walked on the Moon?
A1: A total of twelve astronauts have walked on the Moon, all of whom were part of NASA’s Apollo program.
Q2: Who was the first person to walk on the Moon?
A2: Neil Armstrong was the first person to walk on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission on July 21, 1969.
Q3: Who was the last person to walk on the Moon?
A3: Eugene Cernan was the last person to walk on the Moon during the Apollo 17 mission in December 1972.
Q4: Are any of the Moonwalkers still alive?
A4: As of now, four of the twelve Moonwalkers are still alive: Buzz Aldrin, David Scott, Charles Duke, and Harrison Schmitt.
Q5: What was the Apollo program?
A5: The Apollo program was a series of space missions conducted by NASA to land humans on the Moon and bring them safely back to Earth. It included six successful manned Moon landings between 1969 and 1972.
Q6: What scientific contributions did the Apollo missions make?
A6: The Apollo missions provided valuable scientific data about the Moon’s geology, composition, and environment. They also helped advance technology and engineering, contributing to future space exploration efforts.
Q7: Did any astronauts walk on the Moon more than once?
A7: No astronaut has walked on the Moon more than once. However, some astronauts, like Eugene Cernan and John Young, flew to the Moon on multiple missions.
Q8: What did the astronauts do on the Moon?
A8: The astronauts conducted scientific experiments, collected lunar samples, took photographs, and explored the lunar surface. They also set up equipment to measure seismic activity, solar wind, and other phenomena.
Q9: What was the significance of the Apollo 11 mission?
A9: The Apollo 11 mission was significant because it marked the first time humans landed on the Moon and returned safely to Earth. It was a major achievement in space exploration and a milestone in human history.
Q10: How long did the astronauts stay on the Moon?
A10: The duration of the Moonwalks varied by mission. The shortest stay was during Apollo 11, with about 2.5 hours on the lunar surface, while the longest was during Apollo 17, with over 22 hours of extravehicular activity.
