Welcome to the Moon

Look up on a clear night and you will see it — the Moon, Earth's only natural satellite, orbiting just 384,400 kilometers (238,855 miles) away. For all of human history, the Moon has inspired wonder, myth, and science. But for a brief window between 1969 and 1972, twelve human beings actually walked on its surface.

The Apollo program landed six missions on the Moon, and those astronauts brought back 382 kilograms (842 pounds) of lunar rocks, core samples, and soil that scientists still study today. The last person to walk on the Moon was Gene Cernan in December 1972 — over 50 years ago.

Because the Moon has no atmosphere, no wind, and no water, the footprints left by those astronauts will remain undisturbed for millions of years. Now, NASA's Artemis program aims to return humans to the Moon and land the first woman on its surface. Our journey to the Moon begins at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Let's go.