Until now, the Moon remains the only celestial body beyond Earth where humans have set foot. No other heavenly body has witnessed human presence. But do you know which countries that have visited the Moon?
With an increasing interest in exploring life beyond Earth, numerous countries worldwide have sent both manned and unmanned missions to the Moon to understand more about our natural satellite.
In this exclusive Insight Factory guide, we’ll reveal three countries that have visited the Moon through space missions and highlight their most noteworthy achievements. Let’s dive in!
Main countries that have visited the Moon
The Moon, Earth’s only natural satellite, has captivated humanity for centuries. From the early days of astronomical observation to modern space missions, this celestial body has been a target of exploration and research.
1. United States: pioneers in manned Moon landings
The United States, through NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), made history in 1969 with the Apollo 11 mission, marking the first time humans set foot on the Moon.
Led by astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, this monumental event remains one of the most significant achievements in space exploration.
The U.S. continued its lunar exploration over the years, totaling six manned Apollo missions between 1969 and 1972.
2. Soviet Union: pioneers in robotic lunar exploration
Lunar exploration began with the Soviet Union, as they achieved several significant milestones with their Luna program even before the U.S. manned landing.
The Luna 1 mission in 1959 was the first spacecraft to reach the vicinity of the Moon. Subsequently, Luna 2 became the first human-made object to impact the lunar surface, and Luna 3 provided the first photographs of the far side of the Moon.
In 1966, Luna 9 achieved the first soft landing on the Moon, sending images of the lunar surface back to Earth.
3. China: a new era of lunar exploration
Wrapping up our list of countries that have visited the Moon is China, emerging as a major player in space exploration with its Chang’e program.
Launched in 2013, Chang’e 3 made China the third country to achieve a soft landing on the Moon. This mission also deployed Yutu, China’s first lunar rover.
Subsequent Chang’e missions continued to advance China’s lunar exploration capabilities, such as Chang’e 5, which collected lunar soil samples in 2020 and brought them back to Earth.
Did you enjoy learning about the countries that have visited the Moon?
The exploration of the Moon represents a globally significant scientific journey, where countries around the world have invested in technologies and scientific knowledge over the years to unravel the mysteries of the lunar surface.
Whether manned or unmanned missions, all have contributed to our current understanding of Earth’s natural satellite.
The Moon, once only observed from a distance, has become a dynamic stage for human exploration and discovery, and interplanetary missions are far from over!