Everyone, at one time or another, has seen the images of Neil Armstrong stepping on the lunar soil on July 20, 1969. But, did you know that there are more people who have stepped on the moon? Not that they are many, but In total there are 12 the people who have dirtied their boots with lunar dust . In the following article we want to explain who they were and why there have not been more expeditions to the moon.
What happened in the 60s we all know. From 1967 to 1972, NASA's focus was on the only natural satellite on Earth . In addition to getting to plant a flag, as a non-American, on the moon, there were 6 more missions whose purposes went beyond that very patriotic act. Let's see what they were and those 12 humans who carried them out.
The purposes of lunar missions
The great purposes of the missions to the Moon that all American astronauts had in mind was four. Then we present them to you:
1. Establish the necessary technology to satisfy national interests in space
2. Achieve preeminence in space for the United States
3. Carry out a scientific exploitation program for the moon
4. Develop the capacity of man to be in space.
But, as we said before, The last time the human being stepped on the moon was in 1972. So why does it seem that lunar travels are no longer of interest to us? Summing it up a lot, NASA's priorities have changed. When in 1973 U.S it faced one of its worst oil crises, the funds of the governments had to be destined to leave that crisis and not to lunar expeditions. It was for that reason that the Apollo missions were canceled, the last of which was Apollo 17.
From that moment, and with a much tighter budget, NASA diverted its interests to the Skylab, a space shuttle program and several satellite probes.
But with regard to the Moon, not everything is lost. In 2018, NASA announced plans to send civilians, not astronauts, as of 2020. Even Elon Musk He stated that SpaceX would send people to the moon.
If we return to the subject that occupies us this article, we want to review which were the people who have trodden the moon at some point in history. We have always believed that it was an exclusive act of Neil Armstrong and, nevertheless, in total, there have been 12 people who have stepped on the moon ...
People who have stepped on the moon
one. Neil Armstrong
He is the most famous person who has stepped on the moon. His feat is known by almost everyone and his image is everywhere. He stepped on the lunar dust on July 20, 1969 aboard Apollo 11, specifically was the commander. He was a Navy pilot, an engineer and a veteran of war.
two. Buzz Aldrin
Aldrin was also a crew member of Apollo 11 and was right behind Armstrong when they left the lunar module Eagle to make history by setting foot on the moon for the first time.
3. Pete Conrad
Another of the people who have stepped on the moon is the commander of the Apollo 12 mission, Pete Conrad, who also landed in 1969.
Four. Alan Bean
Crewman of Apollo 12 with Pete Conrad, he retired from the lunar projects of NASA in 1981.
In this article we explain your hypothesis of why, according to him, the aliens have not visited the Earth.
5. Alan Shepard
The commander of Apollo 14 is also one of the people who have trodden the moon.
6 Ed Mitchell
Along with Shepard, he piloted the lunar module Apollo 14. He became famous for his controversial views about UFOs.
7 David Scott
Although he already piloted the Apollo 9, he did not become one of the people who set foot on the moon until 1971 aboard the Apollo 15
8 James Irwin
He was the pilot of the Apollo 15 module
9. John Young
On board the Apollo 10 he only managed to orbit around the moon, but in 1072, in Apollo 16 he managed to put his feet on the lunar surface. In 1981 he also commanded the first flight of the space shuttle.
10 Charles Duke : Duke touched the lunar surface with Apollo 16, however his most famous role was carried out with Apollo 11 when he served as CAPCOM (capsule communicator). His distinctive southern accent was recorded all over the world.
eleven. Jack Schmitt : Schmitt was the first scientist to go out into outer space. He did it in 1972 as a pilot of Apollo 17
12 Gene Cernan
The last of the people who have walked on the moon was Cernan. He was commander of Apollo 17 when the lunar module landed on December 13, 1972. Cernan said:
"I'm on the surface; and when I take the last step of the man on this surface, I return home, but we think not for too long. The future? I would just like to say what I think the story will record. Today's challenge from the United States has shaped the destiny of man's tomorrow. And, we leave the moon as when we arrived and, God willing, as when we return: in peace and with hope for all humanity. May God bless the crew of Apollo 17. "
What do you think of this list of people who have stepped on the moon? Did you expect there to be so many? Without a doubt, the experience must be very impressive, see the Earth from such a privileged position, feel like a grain of sand in the Universeâ € |Brutal!