NASA celebrates 55 years of historic Apollo 11 Moon landing
Week-long festivities in the US
NASA is commemorating the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission with a series of events across the United States from July 15 to 25, 2024.
The celebrations will honour the groundbreaking achievement of July 20, 1969, when US astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to set foot on the Moon and will reflect on the enduring legacy of Apollo-era innovations.
The week-long festivities include in-person and virtual events designed to showcase the monumental impact of the Apollo 11 mission and NASA’s current endeavours.
Central to the celebrations will focus on NASA’s Artemis programme, which aims to land the first woman, the first person of colour, and the first international astronaut on the Moon, thereby continuing the spirit of exploration and scientific discovery.
Key activities will include:
- July 15-16: NASA will unveil the Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) core stage at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans.
- July 19: The Johnson Space Centre in Houston will dedicate Building 12 as the Dorothy Vaughan Centre, honouring Vaughan, a pioneering mathematician and NASA’s first Black manager.
- July 21: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Centre in Greenbelt, Maryland, will host a model rocket contest organised by the National Association of Rocketry Headquarters Astro Modelling Section, open to all rocketeers and the public.
- July 16-24: Space Centre Houston will offer pop-up science labs, mission briefings, and special tram tours featuring the Mission Control Centre at NASA Johnson.
- July 20: The National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its Space Window, which houses a piece of lunar rock donated by NASA and the Apollo 11 crew.
- July 25: At San Diego Comic-Con, NASA will present a panel discussion titled ‘Exploring the Moon: the Artemis Generation,’ featuring astronauts and NASA experts, including Stan Love, A.C. Charania, Dionne Hernandez-Lugo, and Jackelynne Silva-Martinez.
Throughout the anniversary week, NASA will also use the #Apollo11 hashtag to share the iconic Moon bootprint image and the significance of Apollo 11’s legacy across its digital platforms.
With Michael Collins orbiting above, US astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin achieved the historic feat when Armstrong set foot on the lunar surface on July 20, famously declaring: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
The mission demonstrated unparalleled technological prowess and innovation, marking a defining moment in space exploration. It not only fulfilled US President John. F. Kennedy’s ambitious goal also significantly advanced scientific understanding, inspiring future generations and solidifying a legacy of exploration and discovery.
65 years of ‘the meatball’
July 15, 2024, also marks the 65th anniversary of NASA’s iconic logo, affectionately known as ‘the meatball’. Designed at NASA’s Lewis Research Center in Cleveland, now known as NASA Glenn, the emblem was created by James Modarelli, an artist and technical illustrator who played a pivotal role in its development.
The logo, featuring a striking red, white, and blue design, incorporates elements representing NASA’s dual missions in space and aeronautics. Since its adoption in 1959, it has become the official symbol of the United States’ space agency. The emblem, a streamlined version of NASA’s formal seal, has journeyed aboard rockets, travelled to the Moon and beyond, and is prominently displayed on the International Space Station.
Celebrated as a timeless symbol of exploration and discovery and as one of the world’s most recognizable brand marks, the ‘meatball’ earned its nickname in 1975. This was to distinguish it from the ‘worm’ logotype, another NASA design that has also left its mark on pop culture.
Featured image: US astronaut Buzz Aldrin poses for a photograph beside the deployed United States flag during an Apollo 11 moonwalk on July 20, 1969. The Lunar Module is on the left, and other US astronauts’ footprints are visible in the lunar soil. Credit: NASA
