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Apollo 11 was the United States mission that achieved the first crewed Moon landing—an event that reshaped science, technology, and global culture. Launched in July 1969, Apollo 11 carried three astronauts: Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin. Armstrong and Aldrin descended to the lunar surface in the Lunar Module Eagle, while Collins remained in lunar orbit in the Command Module Columbia.
Below you’ll find a quick answer box, a key metrics table, and an updated list of Apollo 11 facts and statistics—written for fast scanning, easy sharing, and clear year labeling for historical numbers.
Apollo 11 (Quick Facts)
Apollo 11 launched July 16, 1969 from Kennedy Space Center and landed the first humans on the Moon on July 20, 1969 at the Sea of Tranquility. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin spent 21 hours, 36 minutes on the lunar surface, including a single moonwalk (EVA) lasting about 2.5 hours. The crew returned safely to Earth with about 21.6 kg (47.5 lb) of lunar samples and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on July 24, 1969.
Key Metrics Table (Apollo 11 by the Numbers)
| Metric | Value | Year / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Launch | July 16, 1969 — 9:32 a.m. EDT | Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center |
| Moon landing (LM touchdown) | July 20, 1969 | Mare Tranquillitatis (Sea of Tranquility) |
| Time on Moon’s surface | 21 hours, 36 minutes | 1969; includes time inside LM on the surface |
| Moonwalk (EVA) time | ~2.5 hours | 1969; time outside the LM |
| Lunar samples returned | ~21.6 kg (≈47.5 lb) | 1969; reported totals vary slightly by source/rounding |
| Mission duration | 8 days, 3 hours, 18 minutes, 35 seconds | 1969 |
| Total distance traveled | 953,054 miles | 1969; mission total reported in NASA overview |
| Estimated global TV audience | ~650 million viewers | 1969 estimate; commonly cited historical figure |
| Splashdown | July 24, 1969 — 12:50 p.m. EDT | Pacific Ocean; recovery ship: USS Hornet |
Apollo 11 Summary (What Happened)
Apollo 11 was the culmination of NASA’s Apollo program goal: land humans on the Moon and return them safely to Earth. After launch on a Saturn V rocket, the spacecraft traveled to lunar orbit. Armstrong and Aldrin transferred into Eagle and landed at the Sea of Tranquility. Armstrong became the first person to step onto the Moon, followed shortly by Aldrin. They conducted one EVA, deployed early experiments, documented the site, and collected lunar material before lifting off to rendezvous with Collins in Columbia. The crew then returned to Earth for a Pacific Ocean splashdown and recovery.
Apollo 11 Facts and Statistics (Updated)
- Apollo 11 Launch Date (1969): July 16, 1969 (9:32 a.m. EDT)
- Apollo 11 Launch Site (1969): Kennedy Space Center (Launch Complex 39A), Florida
- Apollo 11 Crew Members (1969):
- Neil Armstrong — Commander
- Michael Collins — Command Module Pilot
- Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin Jr. — Lunar Module Pilot
- Apollo 11 Backup Crew (1969):
- James Lovell — Commander
- Fred Haise Jr. — Lunar Module Pilot
- William Anders — Command Module Pilot
- Apollo 11 Call Signs (1969):
- Command Module: Columbia
- Lunar Module: Eagle
- Landing Site Name Used on the Surface: Tranquility Base
- Apollo 11 Moon Landing Date (1969): July 20, 1969
- Apollo 11 Moon Landing Site (1969): Mare Tranquillitatis (Sea of Tranquility)
- Neil Armstrong’s first words on the Moon (1969):
“That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.”
- Time on the Moon’s surface (1969): 21 hours, 36 minutes (total surface stay, including time inside the Lunar Module)
- Time spent outside on the Moon (1969): One EVA lasting a little over 2.5 hours (the moonwalk itself)
- Apollo 11 Landing Date on Earth (1969): July 24, 1969 (12:50 p.m. EDT)
- Apollo 11 Recovery Vehicle (1969): USS Hornet
- Apollo 11 Splashdown Region (1969): Pacific Ocean (historically reported as southwest of Hawaii)
- Apollo 11 Mission Goal (1961–1969):
To complete the national goal set by President John F. Kennedy (announced May 25, 1961): perform a crewed lunar landing and return safely to Earth.
- Estimated global viewers for the first steps broadcast (1969 estimate): ~650 million
- Items left on the Moon (1969):
- The Lunar Module descent stage (the lower portion of Eagle)
- A plaque reading:
“Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the Moon. July 1969 A.D. We came in peace for all mankind.”
-
- An American flag
- Mission-related commemoratives and materials (as documented in mission histories)
- How many more astronauts walked on the Moon after Apollo 11 (1969–1972): 10
- Last Apollo Moon landing (1972): Apollo 17; Gene Cernan is widely noted as the last person to walk on the Moon (December 1972)
FAQ: Apollo 11
When did Apollo 11 land on the Moon?
Apollo 11’s Lunar Module Eagle landed on the Moon on July 20, 1969, at the Sea of Tranquility.
How long did Armstrong and Aldrin stay on the Moon?
They spent 21 hours, 36 minutes on the lunar surface in total (including time inside the Lunar Module). Their moonwalk (EVA) lasted a little over two and a half hours.
Who was on Apollo 11?
The crew was Neil Armstrong (Commander), Michael Collins (Command Module Pilot), and Buzz Aldrin (Lunar Module Pilot).
Where did Apollo 11 splash down?
Apollo 11 splashed down in the Pacific Ocean and was recovered by the USS Hornet. Historical reporting commonly describes the landing area as southwest of Hawaii.
How many people watched the Moon landing live?
There isn’t a single definitive count, but a widely cited historical estimate is about 650 million viewers worldwide (1969 estimate) for the first steps broadcast.
