NASA Apollo lunar lander legacy and Artemis moon plans

NASA’s Apollo program placed twelve astronauts on the Moon between 1969 and 1972, using the lunar module – famously known as the Eagle – that touched down on the Sea of Tranquility on July 20, 1969. The descent stage of each lander remains on the lunar surface, while the ascent stages were discarded after crew return. Photographs from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and other satellites show the six descent stages still visible on the Moon’s near side.

The article links this historic achievement to NASA’s current Artemis program, noting that private companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin are building new lunar landers. A crewed test of a NASA capsule docking with a commercial lander is slated for next year, with a possible Artemis III Moon landing targeted for 2028. The new Starship vehicle will be far larger than the original Apollo lander, requiring a ten‑floor‑high elevator for astronauts to descend to the lunar surface.

The piece also references President Richard Nixon’s congratulatory call to Apollo astronauts after the 1969 landing, underscoring the mission’s lasting cultural impact.