The first mission by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) which made people from Earth step their feet on the moon's surface was the Apollo Space Mission. Having a safe land on the moon was not something very easy to be imagined in the 1960s but the brilliant minds at NASA made it not just imaginable but also possible.
Overview
After an American astronaut reached space, on 25 May 1961, President John F. Kennedy addressed a session and talked about working on a program which should aim to reach the moon. The astronauts at NASA obliged it and on 20 July 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first person ever to walk on the surface of the moon as a part of the Apollo mission.
The Apollo program concluded in 1972 with Apollo 17, involving a total expenditure of approximately $257 billion in 2020 dollars and engaging up to 400,000 Americans at its peak. The missions brought back 382 kilograms of lunar rocks, core samples, and regolith from the Moon's surface.
Analysis of these samples revealed that the Moon is an ancient, inert celestial body formed around 4.5 billion years ago. It underwent a significant catastrophic event approximately 3.8 billion years ago and has since remained relatively inactive, although not entirely dormant. The chemical composition of the lunar rocks closely resembles that of Earth, supporting the hypothesis that the Moon was created following a colossal impact on Earth during its early history.
Chronology
A series of programs were run under the major Apollo Space mission with the major objective of leaving the Earth’s orbit, entering the lunar orbit and reaching the moon.
Apollo 7
It was the first crewed Apollo mission which marks a remarkable date in history. On October 11, 1968, Wally Schirra, Donn Eisele, and Walter Cunningham launched into Earth orbit aboard a Saturn IB rocket.
Over nearly 11 days, they extensively tested the Apollo command and service module, which is crucial for future lunar missions. One notable test included a rendezvous with their rocket's discarded upper stage, simulating procedures for extracting the lunar module. The mission concluded on October 22, 1968, with a splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean. The total cost could be estimated as $ 145 million.
"Look at the sunrise, gang. There you go. That's the thrill of this business."
- Walter Schirra, during Apollo 7
Image credits: Wikipedia
Apollo 8
On 21 December 1968, Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and William Anders left the Kennedy Space Centre and became the first human to leave the earth’s surface and reach the lunar orbital. The aim was to test if astronauts could safely ride the rocket Saturn V, enter and exit the lunar orbit, and reach back to Earth safely. The entire program cost around a total of $ 310 million.
“The vast loneliness up here of the Moon is awe-inspiring, and it makes you realize just what you have back there on Earth.” - Jim Lovell, Apollo 8
Apollo 9
Apollo 9 marked the inaugural flight test of the lunar module, the spider-like lander intended for transporting astronauts to the Moon's surface. Launched on March 3, 1969, atop a Saturn V rocket, the mission included astronauts James McDivitt, David Scott, and Russell Schweickart aboard the command module along with the lunar module and service module.
During their time in Earth orbit, the crew executed a simulated lunar descent, performed a long-distance rendezvous with the lunar module, and conducted a spacewalk in the newly developed Apollo spacesuits. It entirely costed a total sum of $ 340 million.
Apollo 10
It was the dress rehearsal for the first human landing on the lunar surface. On May 18, 1969, the mission commenced with the inaugural and solitary Saturn V launch from Kennedy Space Center's pad 39B, while preparations were simultaneously underway at pad 39A for the upcoming Apollo 11 launch in two months.
Astronauts Thomas Stafford, John Young, and Gene Cernan successfully reached Earth orbit, reignited their Saturn V upper stage booster, and propelled towards the Moon. They achieved lunar orbit on May 21.
Apollo 11
It was a milestone in the history of space missions. On 16 July 1969, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins began their journey with Saturn V towards the moon. Everything went exactly the same as the dress rehearsal in Apollo 10 except for some last-minute challenges they faced while reaching the moon’s surface.
Once Armstrong set his first step on the surface, they ensured they had a safe landing, they went through a long checklist including engineering experiments, photographing, displaying the American flag, collecting rock and soil samples, and speaking with the president. The total cost of the most remarkable space mission was estimated at $ 355 million.
"It has a stark beauty all its own." "Magnificent desolation."
—Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, respectively on the surface of the Moon
Image credits: NASA
Apollo 12
Apollo 12 marked NASA's second successful lunar landing mission. On November 19, 1969, astronauts Pete Conrad and Alan Bean touched down precisely in Oceanus Procellarum, commonly known as the "Ocean of Storms." Meanwhile, Richard Gordon piloted the Apollo command module in lunar orbit.
Notably, Conrad and Bean landed near the location of NASA's Surveyor 3 spacecraft, which had touched down on the lunar surface two years prior. The cost of Apollo 12 was estimated around $375 million.
"Man, that may have been a small one for Neil, but that's a long one for me."
—Pete Conrad, after his first steps on the Moon
Apollo 13
It was not only the third attempt to land humans on the moon but also the first one to fail. Fifty-six hours into their mission, while more than 320,000 kilometres (200,000 miles) from Earth, the Apollo Service Module's oxygen tank suffered an explosion.
This critical event disabled their primary spacecraft, prompting the crew to seek refuge in the attached Lunar Module. Unable to proceed with their planned lunar landing, the Apollo 13 crew altered their course to execute a swift slingshot manoeuvre around the Moon, aiming to safely return to Earth. After three days, they safely entered the Earth’s atmosphere. Although it cost a sum of $375 million, the mission was termed as “a successful failure”.
Image credits: NASA
Apollo 14
Apollo 14 became the inaugural mission dedicated to exploring the lunar highlands, characterized by their bright, ancient, and extensively cratered terrain, situated above the Moon's dark maria plains. Through this mission, Alan Shepard, the first American to reach space became the fifth American to walk on the lunar surface on 31 January 1971. The total cost was $375 million.
Apollo 15
This was the first mission of Apollo 2.0 which aimed to have three final crewed missions to the moon in the 20th century. On July 26, 1971, the mission commenced with the launch of the Saturn V rocket carrying Commander Dave Scott, Command Module Pilot Al Worden, and Lunar Module Pilot Jim Irwin.
The rocket had undergone modifications to accommodate an extra load of more than 4,000 pounds, including a comprehensive array of scientific instruments on the service module, additional life support resources for a prolonged stay on the lunar surface, and notably, the Lunar Roving Vehicle.
During their three-day stay on the Moon, Scott and Irwin conducted three extensive scientific expeditions, covering nearly 28 kilometres (17.4 miles) with the lunar rover. They explored the foothills of the Apennine Mountains, ventured close to the edge of a rille, and gathered approximately 77 kilograms (about 170 pounds) of lunar rocks and soil samples. This time the total cost was $445 million.
Apollo 16
This was the most dramatic mission in the series of Apollo. On April 16, 1972, the Saturn V launched with astronauts John Young, Charlie Duke and Ken Mattingly reflecting the past ambitions of the entire space mission. Before the landing, they faced a technical issue which was not that easy to manage but smartly handled by the people there.
After the uneventful landing, Young and Duke had a sleep after staying up for more than 24 hours and became the first lunar crew members to report a sound sleep in a lunar module. The mission cost around $445 million.
"I think we’ve seen as much in 10 days as most people would have seen in 10 lifetimes." - John Young after his return.
Apollo 17
7 December 1972 marked the end of the Apollo Space mission with its last moon visit. Apollo 17 was distinguished by its robust scientific goals and the notable inclusion of the Lunar Roving Vehicle. Eugene Cernan, accompanied by Harrison Schmitt, who piloted the Lunar Module, extensively explored the lunar surface.
Schmitt, holding a Ph.D. in geology, was the first and only professional scientist to walk on the Moon. While previous Apollo astronauts were proficient field geologists, Schmitt's expertise provided the crew with added flexibility in selecting and examining specific targets for study and sampling. Completing the trio was Command Module Pilot Ron Evans, who remained in lunar orbit throughout the mission.
Conclusion
With all these missions, the Apollo Space Mission became one of the most successful space missions in history. It inspired many more space missions in the future.
Written by Nidhi Jha
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