1969年7月20日，NASA的阿波罗11号着陆器"鹰"号在月球静海成功着陆，尼尔·阿姆斯特朗和巴兹·奥尔德林成为首批踏足月球的宇航员 [1]。这一历史性成就标志着人类太空探索进入新时代。
月球近侧赤道区域至今仍保留着六个阿波罗下降级的遗迹，包括"鹰"号以及随后任务的着陆器Intrepid、Antares、Falcon、Orion和Challenger [1]。
面向未来，NASA正在推进阿尔忒弥斯计划，计划通过私营企业实现新一代载人登月。SpaceX和Blue Origin两家公司正在研发和运营登月舱，预计最早于2028年执行首次载人登月任务 [1]。其中，SpaceX的星舰设计高度决定了宇航员需要乘坐10层楼高的电梯才能抵达月球表面 [1]。
On July 20, 1969, the Apollo 11 lunar module Eagle touched down in the Sea of Tranquility, making Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin the first astronauts to set foot on the moon. [1] The achievement marked a watershed moment in human spaceflight and established NASA's capability to land crews on the lunar surface.
The legacy of Apollo's engineering persists on the moon today. Six Apollo descent stages remain on the near side of the lunar equator, including Eagle, Intrepid, Antares, Falcon, Orion, and Challenger, standing as monuments to the era of human lunar exploration. [1]
NASA is now pursuing a return to the moon through its Artemis program, which represents a shift toward commercial partnerships. SpaceX and Blue Origin are developing lunar landers for the initiative, with the first crewed lunar landing mission targeted for as early as 2028. [1] SpaceX's Starship design presents unique operational challenges; the vehicle's height is such that astronauts will require a ten-story elevator to descend to the lunar surface. [1]