Moon Men: Only 5 Apollo Astronauts Remain

The legacy of the Apollo missions is growing more poignant as the number of surviving astronauts who journeyed to the Moon diminishes. Following the recent passing of Apollo 13 commander Jim Lovell, only five individuals remain who have ventured beyond Earth orbit. This stark reality underscores the ambition behind current lunar exploration goals.

Nasa's Artemis program is striving to land astronauts on the Moon within this decade, with the Artemis II mission now scheduled for 2026. China is also aggressively pursuing lunar presence, targeting a crewed landing by 2030. These renewed efforts come more than 50 years after humans last walked on the Moon.

Among the surviving lunar travelers is Buzz Aldrin, who became the second person to walk on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission in July 1969. Aldrin has remained a prominent advocate for space exploration and even punched a Moon landing denier at the age of 72. Charlie Duke, the youngest person to walk on the Moon at 36, recalls the "magnificent desolation" and dramatic terrain. He also served as Capcom during the historic Apollo 11 landing.

Fred Haise, an Apollo 13 crew member who narrowly avoided disaster, never reached the Moon as his scheduled Apollo 19 mission was canceled. Harrison Schmitt, a geologist, was part of the final Apollo mission, Apollo 17, in December 1972. David Scott commanded Apollo 15 and was among the first to drive the Lunar Roving Vehicle on the Moon.