Which NASA mission first placed humans in orbit around the Moon?

NASA’s Apollo 8 was the first mission to place humans in orbit around the Moon.

Launched on December 21, 1968, Apollo 8 carried Frank Borman, James Lovell, and William Anders. The crew entered lunar orbit on December 24 and completed ten orbits before returning safely to Earth on December 27.

The mission was a major step toward the lunar landing goal announced by President John F. Kennedy. It tested the Saturn V rocket, the command and service module, and navigation far from Earth without attempting a landing.

Apollo 8 is often confused with Apollo 11, which achieved the first crewed lunar landing seven months later. Apollo 10 performed a full dress rehearsal near the Moon, but Apollo 8 was the first crewed mission to travel to and orbit the Moon.