Final Exam Study Guide: The Apollo Missions (1961–1972)

Origins of the Apollo Program

The Apollo Program was the United States’ plan to land humans on the Moon and return them safely to Earth.

The program was run by NASA.

The Apollo Program officially operated from 1961 to 1972.

The program began during the Cold War competition between the United States and the Soviet Union.

The Soviet Union had early successes in space, including launching Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite.

Soviet astronaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space in 1961.

President John F. Kennedy responded by challenging America to land a man on the Moon before the decade ended.

Kennedy believed the Moon landing would prove American technological superiority during the Cold War.

The Apollo Program required major advances in science, engineering, and computing.

More than 400,000 people worked on the Apollo Program across the United States.

Early Apollo Missions & Testing

The first Apollo missions focused on testing spacecraft systems, rockets, and astronaut safety.

Apollo 1 ended in disaster when a fire broke out during a launch rehearsal test.

Astronauts Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger B. Chaffee were killed in the fire.

Investigators discovered that the spacecraft contained flammable materials and design flaws.

NASA redesigned the Apollo spacecraft after Apollo 1 to improve safety features and emergency escape procedures.

Apollo 4, 5, and 6 were uncrewed test missions conducted in 1967 and 1968.

These missions tested the massive Saturn V rocket.

The Saturn V remains one of the most powerful rockets ever built.

The success of Apollo 4–6 proved the United States could send astronauts toward the Moon.

First Crewed Missions & Lunar Orbit

Apollo 7 became the first successful crewed Apollo mission.

Apollo 7 tested spacecraft systems while orbiting Earth for 11 days.

Apollo 8 was the first mission to carry humans beyond Earth’s orbit.

Apollo 8 astronauts became the first humans to orbit the Moon.

Apollo 8 astronauts read from the Book of Genesis during a Christmas Eve broadcast watched by millions around the world.

Apollo 8 took the famous “Earthrise” photograph, which showed Earth rising above the Moon’s surface.

The “Earthrise” image increased public awareness about the beauty and fragility of Earth.

Apollo 9 tested the Lunar Module in Earth orbit.

The Lunar Module was the spacecraft designed specifically for landing astronauts on the Moon.

Apollo 10 served as a complete rehearsal for the Moon landing.

Apollo 10 came within about 50,000 feet of the Moon’s surface before returning safely to Earth.

Apollo 11 & the First Moon Landing

Apollo 11 became the first mission to land humans on the Moon on July 20, 1969.

The Apollo 11 crew included Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins.

Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the Moon.

Armstrong famously said, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

Buzz Aldrin became the second person to walk on the Moon.

Michael Collins remained in lunar orbit aboard the Command Module while Armstrong and Aldrin explored the surface.

Apollo 11 collected Moon rocks and scientific data for study back on Earth.

Millions of people around the world watched the Moon landing live on television.

Apollo 11 is widely viewed as the United States winning the Space Race against the Soviet Union.