45 Years After the Moon Landing, We Look Back at the Best Photos from Apollo 11

Jul 17, 2014

Apollo 11 goes supersonic as it continues to climb outside the Earth's atmosphere. — Apollo 11 goes supersonic as it continues to climb outside the Earth’s atmosphere.

It was 45 years ago, yesterday, astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins took on what is without a doubt one of the most important endeavors in the history of humankind. Packed together into one of the most incredible pieces of engineering to ever exist, the astronauts of Apollo 11 left Earth’s atmosphere, with hopes of being the first humans to ever step foot on the Moon.

To commemorate the accomplishment many thought was impossible – and to those who still do – we have put together a chronological collection of photos documenting the entire journey. Shared by NASA as part of their Project Apollo Archive, these images are just a few from the vast archive of medium format, 35mm, and 16mm frames captured throughout the Apollo missions.

Lunar Module 5 is held in place via an overhead hoist before inspection.

Workers make preparations to the S-IC first stage rocket in the the Vehicle Assembly Building.

Buzz Aldrin practices Hasselblad photography as Neil Armstrong looks on

Apollo 11 Spacecraft Commander Neil Armstrong in the spacesuit he will wear on the lunar surface at the Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, Texas.

Apollo 11 CSM 107 is moved in preparation for the first manned lunar landing.

The attaching of the Apollo 11 spacecraft to the Saturn V launch vehicle.

Saturn V, the space vehicle used for the Apollo 11 mission is rolled down the 3.5 mile crawlerway to Launch Complex 39A.

The Saturn 5 crawls towards pad 39a at a whopping 1MPH.

Searchlights shine onto the Apollo 11 space vehicle at Launch Complex 39A during a Countdown Demonstration Test.

Apollo 11 and Saturn V as seen from atop the launch tower.

The crew of Apollo 11 take their final steps on Earth before stepping foot into the vehicle that would take them to the moon.

Saturn V SA-506 and Apollo 11 moments after ignition.

Apollo 11 liftoff as viewed by a launch tower camera.

Launch team members view the Apollo 11 through the firing room windows.

Moonbound Apollo 11 clears the launch tower.

Apollo 11 as viewed from an Air Force EC-135N plane A 70mm Airborne Lightweight Optical Tracking System (ALOTS) camera took this picture.

Apollo 11's view from Earth orbit. — Apollo 11’s view from Earth orbit.

Apollo 11's view during approach to landing site. — Apollo 11’s view during approach to landing site.

The first photo Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong took after setting foot on the Moon

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Buzz Aldrin's bootprint in the lunar soil. — Buzz Aldrin’s bootprint in the lunar soil.

Armstrong inside Apollo 11 landing module after historic moonwalk.

Landing module inside the Moon's orbit. — Landing module inside the Moon’s orbit.

Apollo 11 crewmen await pickup by helicopter following splashdown.

Mission control celebrates Apollo 11's safe return. — Mission control celebrates Apollo 11’s safe return.

The Apollo 11 crew relaxes in the quarantine van.

Apollo 11 astronauts, still in quarantine van, are greeted by wives upon arrival at Ellington Air Force Base.

To see more images from Apollo 11 or any of the other missions to the moon, check out our previous coverage on the Apollo Image Gallery or head over to the gallery itself by clicking here.

Culture, Educational, Space, Spotlight

apollo, apollo11, buzzaldrin, moon, NASA, neilarmstrong, saturn, space

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