Nasa Apollo missions: Stories of the last Moon men.

They were the pioneers of space exploration, the 24 NASA astronauts who embarked on humanity’s most audacious journey, travelling to the Moon during the Apollo missions of the 1960s and 1970s. Of these 24, a select 12 had the unparalleled experience of stepping onto the lunar surface. Today, more than 50 years since a human last left their footprint on that dusty, silent world, only six of these legendary figures remain to share their unique perspectives – four who walked on the Moon, and two who orbited, forever etched into the annals of history. Their stories are a testament to human ingenuity, courage, and the enduring spirit of exploration, even as a new generation prepares to follow in their footsteps.

The race to return humans to the lunar surface is heating up once again, fueled by a blend of national ambition and private sector innovation. NASA’s ambitious Artemis program aims not just to land astronauts on the Moon by the middle of this decade, but to establish a sustainable presence there, envisioning a future where humans live and work on the Moon as a stepping stone for future missions to Mars. Across the globe, China is also making significant strides, with a stated goal of putting its own taikonauts on the lunar surface by 2030, a mission underscored by its recent successful landing of a probe on the far side of the Moon in June 2024.

The burgeoning commercial space industry is playing an increasingly vital role, with private companies vying to send scientific craft and eventually crewed missions to the Moon. While some, like Intuitive Machines, have achieved recent successes in landing payloads, the journey remains fraught with peril, with mishaps tragically outnumbering successes for many aspiring lunar ventures. These challenges highlight the immense technical difficulties and risks inherent in space exploration, mirroring the pioneering struggles of the Apollo era.

The path forward, however, is not without its own delays. NASA had initially targeted last year for Artemis II, the first crewed lunar expedition since Apollo 17 in 1972. However, that date has now slipped into 2026, as the space agency acknowledges the need for more time to meticulously prepare and ensure the safety of its astronauts. Similarly, private giants like SpaceX and Boeing continue to develop their cutting-edge technology, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, though not without encountering their own share of setbacks and development hurdles. These delays serve as a poignant reminder of the passage of time, underscoring the sad fact that the number of remaining Apollo astronauts, those living links to humanity’s first lunar adventures, is dwindling.

Among these living legends is Jim Lovell, a name synonymous with both triumph and near-tragedy in space. Along with Frank Borman and Bill Anders, Lovell made history in December 1968 when the trio undertook the monumental Apollo 8 mission – the first human spaceflight to leave Earth’s orbit and enter lunar orbit. This audacious mission, which saw their craft make 10 orbits of the Moon, was a critical test of the Command/Service Module and its life support systems, paving the way for the subsequent Apollo 11 landing. It was during this mission that Lovell famously observed, "The vast loneliness up here of the Moon is awe-inspiring, and it makes you realize just what you have back there on Earth."

Lovell was later slated to become the fifth human to walk on the lunar surface as commander of Apollo 13. However, fate intervened. An oxygen tank explosion crippled their spacecraft more than 200,000 miles from Earth, transforming a lunar landing mission into a desperate struggle for survival. The world watched with bated breath as NASA engineers and the crew, including Lovell, orchestrated an incredible feat of improvisation and teamwork to bring the damaged spacecraft and its occupants safely home. The iconic phrase, "Houston, we’ve had a problem," uttered by Apollo 13 astronaut Jack Swigert and then repeated by Lovell, encapsulated the gravity of the situation. Their harrowing ordeal was immortalised in the critically acclaimed 1995 film Apollo 13, with Tom Hanks portraying Lovell. Following his retirement from NASA in 1973, Lovell transitioned to the telecoms industry. His wife of over 60 years, Marilyn, who became a focal point for media attention during the infamous incident, sadly passed away in August 2023, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of support and resilience.

But what of the remaining five "Moon men" – those who travelled to or walked upon the lunar surface? Who are they, and what are their extraordinary stories?

Buzz Aldrin (Apollo 11)

On July 21, 1969, former fighter pilot Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin stepped out of the Apollo 11 lunar landing craft and became the second person to set foot on the surface of the Moon, following his commander, Neil Armstrong, by just under 20 minutes. Aldrin’s initial reaction, "Beautiful view," was met by Armstrong’s "Isn’t that something? Magnificent sight out here." To which Aldrin famously replied, "Magnificent desolation." This phrase perfectly captured the stark beauty and immense emptiness of the lunar landscape. While his achievement was monumental, the fact that he was second rather than first reportedly never sat comfortably with him, a sentiment echoed by his crewmate Michael Collins, who observed that Aldrin "resented not being first on the Moon more than he appreciated being second."

Despite any personal struggles with being second, Aldrin remained fiercely proud of his accomplishment and a staunch defender of the Apollo missions. Many years later, in 2002, when confronted by a man claiming Apollo 11 was an elaborate hoax, the then 72-year-old Aldrin famously punched him on the jaw, unequivocally dismissing the conspiracy theories. Following Neil Armstrong’s death in 2012, Aldrin issued a heartfelt statement: "I know I am joined by many millions of others from around the world in mourning the passing of a true American hero and the best pilot I ever knew." Despite challenges in later life, Aldrin never lost his thirst for adventure, undertaking expeditions to both the North and South Poles, the latter at the remarkable age of 86. While embracing his celebrity, he has remained a passionate advocate for the space program, particularly emphasizing the need to explore Mars. "I don’t think we should just go there and come back – we did that with Apollo," he states, advocating for permanent human settlement. His name has also found a place in the hearts of new generations as the inspiration for the beloved character Buzz Lightyear from the Toy Story series of films. In January 2023, at the age of 93, Aldrin married for a fourth time, continuing to live a life as vibrant and adventurous as his lunar journey.

Charles Duke (Apollo 16)

There are only four people still alive who have walked on the Moon, and Charlie Duke is one of them. He achieved this feat at the age of 36, making him the youngest person ever to set foot on the lunar surface. As Lunar Module Pilot for Apollo 16 in April 1972, Duke spent over 71 hours on the Moon, performing three EVAs (extravehicular activities) totalling 20 hours and 15 minutes. In a later BBC interview, he vividly recounted the experience, speaking of a "spectacular terrain." He described, "The beauty of it… the sharp contrast between the blackness of space and the horizon of the Moon… I’ll never forget it. It was so dramatic."

Long before his own lunar excursion, Duke played another significant, tension-filled role in NASA’s exploration of the Moon. As the Capsule Communicator, or Capcom, in mission control for Apollo 11 in 1969, he was the voice of Earth to Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. After the lunar module "Eagle" touched down, it was Duke, waiting nervously on the other end of the line, who received Armstrong’s historic announcement: "Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed." In his distinctive southern drawl, a wave of relief audible in his voice, Duke replied: "Roger, Tranquility. We copy you on the ground, you’ve got a bunch of guys about to turn blue, we’re breathing again." In 2022, Duke expressed his excitement about NASA’s Artemis mission but offered a word of caution, reminding the new generation of astronauts that it wouldn’t be easy. "They’ve picked near the South Pole for the landing, because if there’s any ice on the Moon, it would be down in that region. So that’s gonna be difficult – because it’s really rough down there. But we’ll pull it off." Charlie Duke now lives outside San Antonio, Texas, with Dorothy, to whom he has been married for an incredible 60 years.

Fred Haise (Apollo 13)

Fred Haise, though he never walked on the Moon, is a central figure in one of NASA’s most dramatic missions. He was the Lunar Module Pilot for Apollo 13, the mission that in 1970 narrowly avoided disaster after an on-board explosion crippled the spacecraft more than 200,000 miles (321,000 km) from Earth. The entire world watched, captivated and anxious, as NASA engineers and the crew – Haise, Jim Lovell, and Jack Swigert – raced against time and dwindling resources to return the damaged spacecraft safely. Their successful return turned them into instant celebrities, a status that seemed to genuinely surprise them. "I feel like maybe I missed something while I was up there," Haise quipped to talk show host Johnny Carson when the crew appeared on The Tonight Show, underscoring their focus on survival rather than fame.

Haise’s dream of walking on the Moon, however, remained unfulfilled. Although he was scheduled to be commander of Apollo 19, that mission, along with all other flights after Apollo 17, was cancelled due to budget cuts. Despite this profound disappointment, Haise continued to serve NASA with distinction, later acting as a test pilot on the prototype space shuttle, Enterprise. His expertise was crucial in the development of the Space Shuttle program, which would go on to define a new era of spaceflight. Like many of his fellow Apollo alumni, after leaving NASA, Haise continued to contribute to the aerospace industry until his retirement, his career a testament to his dedication to aviation and space exploration.

Harrison Schmitt (Apollo 17)

Harrison Schmitt holds a unique place in the history of lunar exploration: he is the first, and to date, only scientist to have walked on the Moon. Unlike the vast majority of other astronauts of his era, Schmitt had not served as a pilot in the US armed forces. A brilliant geologist and academic, he initially played a crucial role on Earth, instructing NASA astronauts on what geological features and samples to look for during their lunar field trips. His profound scientific knowledge made him an invaluable asset, leading to his selection as a scientist-astronaut in 1965.

Schmitt was part of the last crewed mission to the Moon, Apollo 17, which launched in December 1972. As the Lunar Module Pilot, he, along with mission commander Eugene Cernan, became one of the last two men to set foot on the lunar surface. During their extensive exploration of the Taurus-Littrow Valley, Schmitt enthusiastically collected geological samples and provided scientific commentary, his professional training bringing a new dimension to lunar exploration. After leaving NASA in 1975, Schmitt embarked on a career in politics, successfully being elected to the US Senate to represent his home state of New Mexico, though he served only one term. Since then, he has worked as a consultant across various industries and continued his involvement in academia. He is also known for publicly expressing views that challenge the scientific consensus on climate change.

David Scott (Apollo 15)

David Scott, the commander of Apollo 15, is another of the four living men who have walked on the Moon. He also holds the distinction of being one of the first to drive on it. In July 1971, Scott and his crewmate James Irwin extensively tested the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV), affectionately dubbed "Man’s First Wheels on the Moon." This revolutionary electric buggy, capable of speeds up to 8 mph (12 km/h), dramatically expanded the range and efficiency of lunar exploration, allowing astronauts to travel much greater distances from their lunar lander than ever before.

Scott vividly recalled the thrill of this new capability: "On a first mission you never know whether it’s going to work," he later explained. "The greatest thrill was to get it out, turn it on, and it actually worked." Apollo 15 was a "J-mission," designed for extended stays and a heightened focus on scientific exploration, allowing Scott and Irwin to spend nearly three full days on the Moon, conducting three lengthy EVAs. After returning from the Moon, Scott continued his distinguished career at NASA, serving in various management roles before transitioning to the private sector. His deep expertise and firsthand experience also made him a sought-after consultant for several film and television projects, including the aforementioned Apollo 13 and the acclaimed HBO miniseries From The Earth To The Moon.

The stories of these six incredible individuals – Jim Lovell, Buzz Aldrin, Charles Duke, Fred Haise, Harrison Schmitt, and David Scott – are more than just tales of personal achievement. They are chapters in humanity’s greatest adventure, a testament to the boundless potential of human endeavor. As the world stands on the cusp of a new era of lunar exploration with programs like Artemis, the insights, wisdom, and sheer courage of these "last Moon men" serve as an invaluable guide. Their legacy challenges the next generation of lunar adventurers to dream bigger, push further, and accomplish even more, standing on the shoulders of giants who dared to reach for the stars and touched the Moon. What will the next generation of lunar adventurers accomplish, inspired by those who paved the way?