Moonwalkers List: Every Person Who Set Foot on the Moon

If you’ve ever wondered who actually walked on the Moon, you’re in the right spot. Below is a quick rundown of the twelve astronauts who left footprints on our nearest neighbor, plus a handy fact or two about each one. No fluff—just the basics you can use right away.

Apollo Astronauts Who Took the Giant Leap

Neil Armstrong (Apollo 11, 1969) – The first human to step onto the Moon. He famously said, “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” His paycheck for the mission was modest by today’s standards—about $25,000 in 1969 dollars.

Buzz Aldrin (Apollo 11, 1969) – The second person on the surface and the first to use a handheld camera to record his walk. Aldrin later helped design the Lunar Module’s navigation system.

Charles “Pete” Conrad (Apollo 12, 1969) – Known for driving the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) during the later Apollo missions, Conrad’s Apollo 12 EVA set the record for the longest lunar walk at the time.

Alan Bean (Apollo 12, 1969) – Bean’s EVA included the first use of a lunar surface drill, collecting samples that helped scientists understand Moon geology.

Alan Shepard (Apollo 14, 1971) – While on the Moon, Shepard famously hit two golf balls with a makeshift club, proving the Moon’s low gravity was perfect for a quick swing.

Edgar Mitchell (Apollo 14, 1971) – Mitchell’s EVA focused on collecting rocks from the Fra Mauro formation, which later helped confirm the Moon’s volcanic past.

David Scott (Apollo 15, 1971) – Scott drove the first Lunar Roving Vehicle, covering more ground than any previous astronaut.

James Irwin (Apollo 15, 1971) – Irwin’s lunar walk led to the first use of a handheld TV camera that broadcast live images back to Earth.

John Young (Apollo 16, 1972) – Young performed three EVAs and took the first color photos of the Moon’s surface.

Charles Duke (Apollo 16, 1972) – Duke’s EVA work included the first use of a portable life support system that freed astronauts from the tethered umbilical.

Eugene Cernan (Apollo 17, 1972) – Cernan was the last person to leave the Moon, famously saying, “We leave as we came, and we’ll be back.”

Harrison Schmitt (Apollo 17, 1972) – A geologist, Schmitt collected the most lunar samples of any astronaut, giving scientists a clearer picture of Moon history.

Why No Moonwalkers Since 1972?

After Apollo 17, political budgets, shifting priorities, and technical hurdles kept humans off the Moon. NASA shifted focus to the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station, while private companies like SpaceX now plan new lunar missions. The next wave of moonwalkers may arrive within the next decade, thanks to programs like Artemis.

People also ask about the legacy left behind. The US flag planted on the Moon in 1969 is still there, though the harsh environment has faded its colors. The far side of the Moon, often called the “dark side,” is actually illuminated—just never seen from Earth. And moon water? Scientists have detected ice in permanently shadowed craters, but drinking it straight away isn’t feasible without processing.

That’s the quick tour of who walked on the Moon and why we haven’t sent anyone back in over 50 years. Keep an eye on upcoming launch windows—your favorite astronaut could be on the next list soon.