The Little Spacecraft That Missed the Moon
On January 2, 1959, the Soviet Union launched Luna 1 at the Moon; a timing error sent it sailing past its target, but it still became the first human-made object to escape Earth and orbit the Sun.
Tagged: Moon
The First Drive on Another World
On July 31, 1971, Apollo 15 astronauts David Scott and Jim Irwin unfolded the Lunar Roving Vehicle and became the first humans to drive on the Moon.
Touchdown in the Mountains of the Moon
On July 30, 1971, Apollo 15's lunar module Falcon settled beside Hadley Rille, beginning the most ambitious geological expedition ever attempted on another world.
Apollo 16: The Moon Mission That Almost Wasn't
On April 16, 1972, Apollo 16 blasted off for the Moon — and a mid-flight malfunction nearly turned it back before it landed.
The Day Alan Shepard Played Golf on the Moon
On February 5, 1971, Apollo 14 landed at Fra Mauro — and before leaving, commander Alan Shepard hit two golf balls across the lunar surface.
The Beach Ball That Bounced Onto the Moon
On February 3, 1966, the Soviet probe Luna 9 became the first spacecraft to land softly on the Moon — by bouncing across the lunar dust like a beach ball.
'The Eagle Has Landed': One Giant Leap
On July 20, 1969, the lunar module Eagle touched down in the Sea of Tranquility, and that night Neil Armstrong stepped onto the lunar surface — the first human on another world.
Liftoff: The Day Apollo 11 Left for the Moon
On July 16, 1969, a 363-foot Saturn V carried Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin off Launch Complex 39A, beginning the first mission to land humans on the Moon.