Did You Know: Space – How long does it take to get to the moon?
During the Apollo moon landings of 1969–1972, it took astronauts three days to travel to the moon from the Earth.
Each mission followed the same path around the moon and back again.
1. Liftoff
The Saturn V rocket launches from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida. It is carrying three astronauts and the Apollo spacecraft, which comes together in space.
2. To the moon
In space, the main part of the spacecraft separates from the rocket. Panels open to reveal the Lunar Module, the part that lands on the moon. The spacecraft turns around and docks with the Lunar Module.
3. Slowing down
The spacecraft slows down as it nears the moon. The astronauts make the final preparations for their trip to the surface.
4. Landing on the moon
Once it enters lunar orbit, the Lunar Module, with two of the astronauts onboard, undocks from the main craft and heads for the moon.
Once they have safely touched down, they prepare to walk on the surface.
5. Heading home
When they are ready to leave, part of the Lunar Module, with the crew inside, lifts off to rejoin the main craft. The crew fires up their engines to leave lunar orbit.
6. Reentry
When they are nearing Earth, the crew capsule separates from the rest of the craft. A heat shield protects the capsule, so that it doesn’t burn up during reentry.
7. Splashdown
After the spacecraft has reentered the Earth’s atmosphere, parachutes open to guide the crew safely to “splashdown” in the ocean.
Can you see the Earth from the moon?
Earth rising
This photo of the Earth rising over the moon was taken by the crew of Apollo 8. Some astronauts who visited the moon described the Earth as looking like a “blue marble” in the sky.