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Apollo ProgramThe Apollo program was an American space initiative in the 1960s and early 1970s led by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to land humans on the moon.
Named after the Greek god associated with the sun, the program started in 1961 in response to the Soviet Union's launch of the first artificial satellite and the first human into space.
Eight years later, Apollo 11 would achieve the program's goal—a first in human history—when Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin touched down on the moon, while Michael Collins piloted their command module.
The program cost over $200B in today's dollars, launched 11 crewed missions, and saw 12 American astronauts walk on the moon. It generated several technological advancements, laid the foundation for today's microelectronics, and influenced the development of the Global Positioning System, or GPS.Explore Apollo Program
What we've found
We don't know why astronauts get motion sickBetween 60% and 90% of astronauts get motion sick in space—and many also get motion sick during the first few days upon return. Motion sickness on Earth does not seem to correlate with whether or not astronauts get motion sick in space, so it's not possible to predict who will get ill. SciShow SpaceAstronauts have repaired DNA in space using CRISPRThe Genes In Space-6 experiment, conducted aboard the International Space Station, investigated the application of the gene editing tool in microgravity, a crucial experiment for long-duration space travel. The work was done three years after four Minnesota students proposed the experiment as part of a national contest in 2018. Space.comSpace trash forced astronauts on the International Space Station to take shelterAn inactive Russian satellite broke up into nearly 200 pieces, prompting astronauts on the space station to take shelter in a docked spacecraft and a capsule that could be used to escape in case of emergency. The GuardianIt is impossible for astronauts to burp in spaceDue to Earth's gravity, liquids and solids sink in our digestive system, while gases rise, allowing them to be forced back up the esophagus to be expelled through burping. In the microgravity environment of the International Space Station, burping would result in vomiting if it were possible. QuartzAstronauts follow strict schedules to mimic Earth days and stay healthy in spaceExperiencing 15 sunrises and sunsets a day while aboard the International Space Station, visitors preserve their circadian rhythms and mental health with fixed timetables. Astronauts have described sleep as living in a vacuum cleaner due to ongoing air filtration. European Space AgencyAstronauts exercise on the International Space StationAstronauts maintain bone, muscle, and cardiovascular health with physical activity. It's crucial astronauts make time to exercise for approximately two hours per day. This resource offers a behind-the-scenes look at how high-intensity workouts help prevent muscle atrophy, bone density loss, and aerobic decline during months-long space missions. NASAWatch a montage of space-based Earth views as astronauts discuss their overview experiencesAs of 2023, more than 600 astronauts and 63 space tourists have seen Earth from space, experiencing a life-changing perspective shift as they view the entirety of our home planet at once. NASA JohnsonApollo astronauts left personal artifacts, trash, and golf balls on the moonTo make room for moon rocks to be brought to Earth, a lunar "toss zone" was created, where items not deemed mission-critical were left behind, including the camera that broadcast Neil Armstrong's first steps on the moon. Space.comResearch suggests the cleanliness of the ISS may make astronauts unhealthyThe International Space Station's sterile conditions deprive astronauts of the opportunity to strengthen their immune systems through microbial exposure. To address this problem, future missions may use probiotic-based cleaners and foster diverse microbes in space habitats. Smithsonian MagazineAstronauts agree: The moon smells like gunpowderTwelve astronauts have walked on the moon to date, and they all agree that our lunar neighbor smells like gunpowder. Scientists argue this scent comes from unstable minerals that cling to their suits and the rocks they return to the ship. Notwithstanding, space itself has a different smell, often compared to steak or metal, which experts believe, rather poetically, is the smell of dead stars. Smithsonian MagazineToday’s kids would rather be YouTubers than astronautsWhile the other children in your kindergarten class might have wanted to be firefighters or astronauts when they grew up, modern kids are different. Lego conducted a study that found children were more likely to say they wanted to be a YouTuber when they grew up than an astronaut. The LEGO GroupUsing fitness wearables to track muscle wasting in astronautsAll that exercising, and astronauts still are likely to lose a large amount of muscle mass while in microgravity. Astronauts can lose up to 20 percent of their muscle in as little as five days in space. Currently, tracking muscle loss means waiting until astronauts land to remeasure their muscle density post-trip. This article explains a NASA-backed fitness wearable that may be able to track muscle atrophy as it happens. FreethinkProtecting astronauts against space radiationOutside the protective atmosphere of Earth, astronauts are constantly bombarded by radiation, which, among other dangers, increases the risk cancer. While those of us on Earth can mitigate the effects of similar radiation by limiting exposure,... NASAHow do astronauts battle loneliness and depression?You’re stranded hundreds of miles away from your friends and family, constantly surrounded by coworkers who also are your roommates, and you’re only allowed the shortest of walks outside. There’s also no takeout, and gravity has essentially broken up with you. You might need a little help adjusting mentally. That’s where space psychologists and psychiatrists step in, according to this article. InverseThe crew of Artemis II captured a photograph of Earth setting as they orbited the moonOn April 6, 2026, the Artemis II astronauts captured a striking image of Earth setting as their spacecraft orbited the Moon, echoing the iconic Earthrise photo taken by Apollo 8's Bill Anders 58 years earlier. NASASpaceX's Crew Dragon was the first crewed spacecraft piloted by touchscreenIn May 2020, NASA astronauts flying SpaceX's Crew Dragon to the International Space Station used touchscreen controls instead of traditional switches and dials, a significant shift for astronauts and how they pilot and interact with spacecraft. (Some users may experience a paywall.) The VergeChallenger pilot Michael Smith was a Navy test pilot and Vietnam veteranMichael J. Smith, a US Naval Academy graduate and combat pilot in Vietnam, flew nearly 4,900 hours across 28 aircraft types before becoming a Navy test pilot and NASA astronaut, serving as the pilot of Challenger's STS-51L mission. The Astronauts Memorial FoundationWatch the lessons Christa McAuliffe was supposed to teach aboard ChallengerAfter the Challenger disaster prevented McAuliffe from teaching in orbit, educators-turned-astronauts Joe Acaba and Ricky Arnold filmed her planned science demonstrations aboard the International Space Station during the 2017-18 school year. NASAEvidence suggests some of the Challenger's crew may have been alive after the explosionRecovery of the intact crew cabin and later analysis of flight data led investigators to conclude the astronauts likely survived the initial breakup and remained alive during the roughly two-minute descent before the cabin struck the ocean. NBC NewsMuted smell and taste in microgravity complicate meal enjoymentAstronauts primarily consume freeze-dried meals, which are rehydrated with water recycled from urine and perspiration, directly from bags. Condiments and select cultural items from crew members can enhance the meal experience by boosting flavor. Many individuals report experiencing "food fatigue" due to a lack of fresh produce, limited menu variety, and lingering scents. Ologies With Alie WardEmulating Earth’s light-dark cycle is important for astronaut health and safetyAstronauts aboard the International Space Station experience 16 daily sunrises, but scientists have learned to try to promote circadian rhythms by phasing through several light settings aboard the ISS to improve astronauts’ sleep and productivity. NASAA holoported medical team has been beamed into the ISSIn 2021, using the Microsoft HoloLens Kinect camera and custom Aexa Aerospace software, NASA's flight surgeon led a team of hologram doctors on a pioneering visit to the International Space Station, marking a significant advancement in communication and telemedicine technologies that will be crucial for future deep-space missions. SpaceIn 2013, an astronaut's helmet began filling with water during a spacewalkA leak in the cooling system of Luca Parmitano's spacesuit caused water to obscure his vision and silence his radio as the International Space Station entered Earth's shadow, forcing him to feel his way back to the airlock in darkness. NOVA PBS OfficialExplore a gallery of astronomical images curated by the European Space AgencyThe collection includes illustrations and images of aurorae, planets, stars, galaxies, stellar nurseries, star clusters, exoplanets, quasars and black holes. Mission photography of astronauts, shuttles and telescopes is also featured. ESAProlonged space travel significantly impacts multiple human body systemsAstronauts can lose 20% of their muscle mass after two weeks and 10% of their bone mass after six months in space. Decreased sharpness of eyesight and changes in neural connectivity, brain structure and gut bacteria have also been observed. BBCRead about every visitor to the International Space StationThe US has sent the most astronauts to the ISS, with 170 visitors, followed by 64 from Russia, 11 from Japan, and nine from Canada. American astronauts Michael E. Lopez-Alegria and Peggy A. Whitson and Russian cosmonauts Yuri Malenchenko and Fyodor Yurchikhin have the most trips, with five each. NASATake a virtual tour of the International Space StationThe ISS is the largest human-made object in space. Its modules were meticulously connected by robotic arms and astronauts during slow, careful spacewalks, creating a structure with over eight miles of electrical wire. Google Arts and CultureWatch how dozens of everyday human tasks are performed in spaceThis playlist features clips of astronauts aboard the International Space Station explaining how they cook, eat, sleep, and conduct research in microgravity. Other activities to pass the time, including watering plants and playing soccer, are also shown. VideoFromSpaceThe 1969 moon landing was a defining Cold War victory for the USWhen Apollo 11 astronauts stepped onto the moon in July 1969, it marked a dramatic win in the US-Soviet space race. The televised landing—broadcast across the globe—showcased American technological supremacy. CBS NewsExplore a virtual tour of the Starlab Space StationHilton plans to design much of the interior of the free-flying commercial facility to provide comfort and hospitality during astronauts' in-space living. Starlab will include crew communal areas, wellness spaces, and advanced sleeping quarters. Stories From HiltonThe Polaris Dawn program led to the first commercial spacewalkAs part of the Polaris Program, this first mission included a crew comprised of astronauts and SpaceX engineers who conducted scientific experiments and cultural outreach, such as raising funds for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. Space.comWatch a lightning storm from the International Space StationWhile passing over the Alabama and Georgia regions, NASA astronauts photographed passing thunderstorms from the ISS. The illuminated clouds are described as "nebula-like formations." IFLScienceHear how the first moon landing was savedThis podcast series explores Apollo 11 through firsthand stories from the engineers, mission controllers, and astronauts who made the moon landing possible, culminating in 13 minutes of NASA archive audio leading up to the landing. BBCNASA purchased about 60% of all integrated circuits from 1961 to 1965The US government adopted the new technology to support the development of the Apollo Guidance Computer, which would help astronauts fly to the moon. This drove manufacturing up and costs down, setting the stage for the modern computing era. Fast CompanyAn oxygen tank explosion forced Apollo 13 to abort its moon landingThe 1970 mission—intended to be the third lunar landing—forced astronauts Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise to focus solely on their survival. They engineered a makeshift filter to handle the carbon dioxide they produced, which exceeded the lunar module's capacity. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Faulty wiring and flammable materials caused a fire in the Apollo 1 command moduleDuring a launch rehearsal test on Jan. 27, 1967, the fire took the lives of astronauts Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee. The tragedy led to improvements to CM construction and the development of a single-piece hatch for escapes. Astronomy MagazineOnly 34% of Americans supported the Apollo program in 1967After a fire killed three astronauts on the launchpad of Apollo 1, the public became ambivalent about funding the multibillion-dollar program until the successful moon landing in 1969. The landers alone cost $388M, while each spacesuit cost $100,000. BBCThe overview effect is a cognitive shift experienced when viewing Earth from spaceAstronauts regularly report profound realizations after seeing Earth from space for the first time, sometimes prompting significant philosophical changes, including a greater awareness of the interconnectedness and fragility of life. Big ThinkScientists have proposed using lasers to push space trash into Earth's atmosphereSuch projects would allow most debris to burn up and no longer pose a risk to active satellites, telescopes, and astronauts on space stations. Enacting these plans would require substantial investments from private and governmental space agencies and overcoming international laws that prevent the removal of another country's space equipment. 1440View a collection of digital museum resources about the Apollo programCreated by the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, this collection includes detailed biographies of astronauts and scientists who worked on the program and interactive features on the technologies that made it possible. Smithsonian InstitutionWatch a documentary on what the first 10,000 days of colonizing the moon look likeAlongside the construction of the first lunar base with help from SpaceX's Starship Human Landing System, transported astronauts would establish a sustainable human presence through the construction of lunar dust shields, light-bending towers, and 3D-printed habitats. Venture CityExplore a deepfake speech of an alternate reality where Apollo 11 failedAs the Apollo 11 astronauts prepared for their journey to the moon, two speeches were drafted for President Richard Nixon: one to be delivered upon the astronauts' success and another to comfort the public in case of failure. This interactive explores the creation of a believable version of the latter. In Event of Moon DisasterWatch the Space Olympics from the International Space StationFrom "synchronized space swimming" to "weightless sharpshooting," crew members in 2021 competed in microgravity versions of events from the summer Games. The "lack-of-floor routine" featured mid-air gymnastics as astronauts floated through space station modules. GizmodoThe space race ended with a handshake in orbit in 1975On July 17, 1975, American and Soviet astronauts docked their spacecraft during the Apollo–Soyuz mission, symbolically ending the space race and marking the first joint spaceflight between Cold War rivals. DiscoverVisitors of the International Space Station are trained in English and RussianDifferent space agencies develop different modules of the ISS, meaning their controls, documentation, and instrumentation are not always written in English. Because the first modules were delivered using US and Russian spacecraft, astronauts have been historically trained in both languages. European Space AgencyMicrogravity environments reduce muscle mass and bone densityMuscles that assist with balance and resistance to gravity are not subjected to their usual workload on the International Space Station. See the type of exercises that astronauts must complete for roughly two hours daily and learn why these movements are necessary to preserve astronauts' muscles, bones, and cardiovascular health. The VergeSimulating the moon's surface in the desertAnd why is the next cohort headed there? The geological conditions in Flagstaff, Arizona, can easily echo those of the moon, making the area a prime spot to train astronauts. This article explains how scientists crafted these training grounds and why astronomers are drawn to the nearly century-old city. The Arizona RepublicColorful thunderstorm phenomena can be viewed from the International Space StationTransient luminous events are lightning-related phenomena that occur in the atmosphere above storm clouds. These events often look like columns of red light resulting from electrical discharge, but may also appear as purple tendrils or long blue jets. NASARelive the Apollo 11 moon landing minute by minuteThis interactive project lets you experience Apollo 11 in real time—listening to exchanges between the astronauts and NASA's Mission Control as they guided humanity's first journey to the lunar surface and safely home. First Men on the MoonThe Columbia disaster exposed fatal flaws in NASA’s shuttle programOn Feb. 1, 2003, Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart during reentry, killing all seven astronauts aboard. The tragedy revealed long-ignored safety warnings, leading NASA to ground the shuttle fleet and overhaul its safety culture. CBS News