From 1969 to 1972, the Apollo Program accomplished the unimaginable – landing American astronauts on the surface of the moon and bringing them back home to tell their stories.
Over 10,000 pictures from these remarkable journeys have now made their way onto Flickr via the Project Apollo Archive, an independent repository of NASA images seeking to preserve our space history.
Long before the ease of digital cameras, Apollo astronauts carried with them custom designed Hasselblad EDC 120mm film cameras, built specifically for use in bulky space suits and the vacuum of space. The results are absolutely stunning – offering extraordinary detail to some of the most humbling and historic perspectives in the history of mankind.
Here are some of our favorites:
Apollo 17 Astronaut Eugene Cernan on the lunar surface, December 13, 1972
Taken during Apollo 17, this picture shows the rugged and dusty surface of the moon.
Apollo 9 astronaut David Scott performs an EVA from Command Module Gumdrop, seen from docked Lunar Module Spider in March, 1969.
Astronaut Neil Armstrong photographed by Buzz Aldrin after completing the Lunar EVA on the Apollo 11 flight, 1969.
The Apollo 17 lunar module seen in space, 1972.
Commander Walter Schirra looks out the window on the 9th day of the Apollo 7 Earth orbital mission, 1968.
Astronaut Jack Schmitt of Apollo 17 makes his way across the desolate lunar surface, 1972.
The Apollo 17 lunar module ascends to the lunar surface, 1972.
A view of the Apollo 16 LRV, or Lunar Roving Vehicle, 1972.
Astronaut Eugene Cernan of Apollo 17 seen right after his second moon walk, 1972.
An extraordinary detail of a lunar crater taken during Apollo 10 in 1969.
Astronaut Jack Schmitt of Apollo 17 is seen gearing up the LVR, 1972.
One of Neil Armstrong's footprints left on the lunar surface after the Apollo 11 mission, 1969.
An Apollo 9 lunar module takes flight in 1969.
The Apollo 17 Command Service Module as seen from the Lunar Landing Module, 1972.
Windows from the Apollo 12 mission, 1969.
Rendezvous with the 2nd stage for docking practice over Florida, 1968.
Astronaut Eugene Cernan of Apollo 17 is seen driving the lunar rover in 1972. Notice the Hasselblad camera strapped to the commander's chest.
A mechanical arm reaches for a sample of the lunar surface during the Apollo 15 mission, 1971.
Moon rocks are illuminated by the sun during the Apollo 16 mission, 1972.
A lens flare creates a halo around the moon during the Apollo 17 mission, 1972.
Astronaut Harrison Schmitt salutes the American flag during Apollo 17, 1972.