Apollo 11: The First Steps To Other Worlds

How They Built This. What They Saw.

NASA’s successful lunar landings came largely as a result of one man’s determination to buck NASA’s system. That man was John C. Houbolt.

Astronaut Walter Schirra decided to bring a Swedish-made Hasselblad on his Mercury spaceflight. That decision set the course for NASA’s choice of the camera for the Apollo lunar program.

For astronauts, the Apollo 11 photos represent the hours of training, risks taken and the people who worked to make the journey possible. NPR asked five former NASA astronauts how they see these photos.

The Apollo 11 mission was possible because of a diverse team of engineers, astronauts and mathematicians. It was also possible thanks to the help of one 10-year-old boy who was in the right place at the right time.

Spacesuits And Moon Rocks

When Neil Armstrong first stepped on the moon 50 years ago, it was a giant leap for functional fashion. The spacesuit he wore was an unprecedented blend of technology and tailoring. Armstrong’s iconic apparel continues to influence what astronauts are wearing in space today.

Next Stops: The Moon, Mars And Beyond

NASA is building its most powerful rocket ever, a moon rocket, which will cost billions of dollars. But the effort has sparked debate about whether NASA should rely on cheaper commercial rockets.

When Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon 50 years ago, it was an inspiring moment. But another kind of explorer is responsible for much of the modern enthusiasm for space exploration: robots.