Humans have been to the Moon 9 times—all during NASA’s Apollo program between 1968 and 1972, with 24 astronauts making the trip.
How many times have humans been to the Moon?
Humans have visited the Moon 9 times, all as part of NASA’s Apollo missions between 1968 and 1972.
Six of those missions landed astronauts on the lunar surface. The other three sent crews into orbit who didn’t land but still made the trip. After Apollo 17 in December 1972, no humans have returned—though robots keep going. Honestly, this is the best-documented off-world adventure in history.
How many moon landings have there been in history?
There have been 6 crewed Moon landings between 1969 and 1972 during NASA’s Apollo program.
Apollo 11 through 17 each put humans on the surface (except Apollo 13, which famously didn’t land). Meanwhile, over 20 uncrewed landings have touched down safely—first by the Soviet Union, then the U.S., and more recently China, India, and Japan. Japan’s SLIM probe just pulled it off in January 2024.
When was the last time a human was on the Moon?
The last human mission to the Moon was Apollo 17 from December 7–19, 1972.
Gene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt spent three full days exploring the Taurus-Littrow valley. That mission also closed the book on Saturn V’s crewed flights. Four decades later, their footprints remain untouched—no wind, no rain, no erosion to disturb them.
What countries have been to the Moon?
| Country | Successful Moon Landings | Crewed Missions |
|---|
| United States | 12 | 6 |
| Soviet Union (Russia) | 8 | 0 |
| China | 5 | 0 |
| India | 1 | 0 |
| Japan | 2 | 0 |
Why did NASA stop going to the Moon after Apollo 17?
NASA ended the Apollo program in 1972 mostly because of sky-high costs and new priorities.
Running Apollo cost roughly $28 billion back then—about $280 billion today. Once the moon-landing spectacle faded, public excitement dipped. NASA pivoted to the Space Shuttle, aiming for reusable spacecraft and orbital science instead. Budget battles and canceled Apollo 18–20 missions sealed the deal.
Is the flag still on the Moon?
The Apollo mission flags are probably still standing but bleached white—orbital images show the right-sized shadows at each landing site.
Those nylon flags weren’t built for the Moon’s brutal swings between -250°F and 250°F. Apollo 11’s flag got knocked over by the liftoff blast. After 50-plus years of solar radiation, the fabric is likely crumbled to dust.
Has anyone visited Mars?
No humans have visited Mars as of 2026—robots have done all the exploring so far.
NASA’s Mariner 4 flew past in 1965, snapping the first close-ups. The Soviet Union’s Mars 3 landed softly in 1971 but died seconds later. NASA’s Perseverance rover has been rolling around since 2021, collecting rocks. Both NASA and SpaceX have crewed missions on the drawing board for the late 2020s and 2030s.
How much did it cost to go to the Moon?
The Apollo program cost $28 billion between 1960 and 1973, or about $280 billion in 2026 dollars after inflation.
Spending peaked in 1966 at $4.5 billion—roughly $45 billion today. Each astronaut’s share came to about $12.5 billion in today’s money. For comparison, NASA’s entire budget in 2026 is around $25 billion, less than one-tenth of Apollo’s peak outlay.
Is anyone lost in space?
No astronauts are currently lost in space—18 people have died during spaceflight.
All fatalities happened during launch or re-entry: Apollo 1’s cabin fire in 1967, Challenger’s breakup in 1986, and Columbia’s disintegration in 2003. Every accident occurred within Earth’s atmosphere. Since 2003, improved safety checks have kept crews alive.
When did China land a man on the moon?
China has not yet landed humans on the Moon as of 2026—its crewed lunar program is slated for the late 2020s or early 2030s.
China’s robotic program is thriving: Chang’e 3 landed in 2013, Chang’e 4 touched down on the far side in 2019, and Chang’e 5 brought samples home in 2020. The crewed “Project 921-3” aims for a landing around 2030, using a new Long March 10 rocket and a next-gen spacecraft.
Is Indian flag on moon?
Yes, India placed its flag on the Moon during the Chandrayaan-3 mission in 2023—making it the fourth nation to do so after the U.S., Soviet Union, and Japan.
The Vikram lander gently set the tricolor onto the lunar surface near the south pole in August 2023. That made India the first country to nail a soft landing there on its first try. The Indian Space Research Organisation is already eyeing crewed missions for the future.
Is there air on the Moon?
No, the Moon has virtually no atmosphere—its surface pressure is about 3 × 10⁻¹⁵ bar.
That’s less than a trillionth of Earth’s sea-level pressure. Without an atmosphere, temperatures swing wildly from -173°C at night to 127°C during the day. Solar radiation and micrometeorites hit the surface unchecked. Any gas released just drifts away into space almost instantly.
What did we leave on the Moon?
Humans have left over 190,000 kg of gear on the Moon, including flags, rovers, scientific stations, and even a couple of golf balls.
Six descent stages, three lunar rovers, and a suite of experiments like the Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package (ALSEP) are still up there. The laser reflectors left by Apollo 11, 14, and 15 still bounce Earth-based lasers back, helping scientists track the Moon’s orbit. Some items, like the goodwill plaques, are more symbolic than useful.
Can you see the flag on the Moon on Google Maps?
No, you cannot see individual Apollo flags on Google Moon or Google Maps—the flags are far too small to pick out from orbit
Google Moon shows landing zones, but the images don’t have enough detail for tiny objects like flags or footprints. NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, however, can spot the actual sites and even rover tracks. Those high-res shots live on NASA’s website, not Google Maps. The flags themselves are likely bleached white by decades of unfiltered sunlight.
