NASA’s Apollo 11 became the first crewed spacecraft to land humans on the Moon.
Apollo 11 launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on July 16, 1969. Commander Neil Armstrong and lunar module pilot Buzz Aldrin descended to the lunar surface in the module Eagle, while Michael Collins remained in lunar orbit aboard the command module Columbia.
The lunar module landed in the Sea of Tranquility on July 20, 1969. Armstrong became the first person to walk on the Moon, followed by Aldrin. The astronauts collected lunar samples, deployed scientific instruments, and planted an American flag before returning to lunar orbit.
Apollo 11 returned safely to Earth on July 24, 1969. Apollo 8 had previously carried humans around the Moon without landing, while Apollo 10 rehearsed the landing approach. Apollo 12 became the next mission to land astronauts on the lunar surface.