What was the first crewed mission to orbit the Moon?

Apollo 8 was the first crewed mission to orbit the Moon. Launched by NASA on December 21, 1968, it carried astronauts Frank Borman, James Lovell, and William Anders aboard a Saturn V rocket. The crew entered lunar orbit on December 24 and completed ten orbits before beginning the journey home.

The mission was a major milestone because it was the first time humans had traveled beyond low Earth orbit, reached the Moon, and seen its far side directly. Apollo 8 also produced the famous “Earthrise” photograph, showing Earth emerging above the lunar horizon.

Apollo 7, which flew earlier in 1968, tested the Apollo command and service modules in Earth orbit but never went to the Moon. Apollo 10 later rehearsed a lunar landing without touching down, while Apollo 11 became the first mission to land astronauts on the lunar surface.