It’s hard to believe that the last manned moon landing was in 1972. However, new interest in lunar travel is emerging thanks to NASA’s Artemis 2 mission, scheduled for April 1, 2026. how long does it take to reach the moonexactly? We’re here to answer all your questions!
Although astronauts won’t land on the lunar surface in 2026, their ten-day journey is paving the way for future Artemis 3 landings. One of the reasons it’s taking so long to land on the moon again is cost. (Don’t worry, we’ll also cover the cost of traveling to the moon.)
There are lots of interesting facts about this topic, and we’re digging into some of the most frequently asked questions about moon travel (plus, there’s excitement about the two upcoming Artemis missions!).
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How long does it take to reach the moon?
On average, it takes about three days to reach the moon. The shortest time (on a manned spacecraft) was the Apollo 8 mission, which took 69 hours and 8 minutes.
Of course, this also depends on the spacecraft used to travel to the moon. The fastest unmanned spacecraft was New Horizons, which took only 8 hours and 35 minutes.
Most recently, on November 16, 2022, Artemis 1 launched aboard the Orion spacecraft. It will take a total of 5 days, 1 hour and 10 minutes to reach the lunar orbit. That’s just over 121 hours. Although this is slower than previous missions, speed is not the goal. This mission is to test flight systems and new technologies in preparation for manned flight missions in 2026.
How long did it take to land on the moon in 1969?
The first moon landing occurred in 1969 during the Apollo 11 mission. It was a great moment in history, as astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin took their first steps on the moon (the third astronaut on this mission, Michael Collins, remains in lunar orbit). They were launched from the Kennedy Space Center on July 16, 1969, and arrived at the moon on July 20, 1969.
The total time of the first journey was 75 hours and 49 minutes, just over three days.
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How far is the moon?
Science Photo Library/Canva
(Science Photo Library/Canva)
According to NASA, the distance from the Earth to the Moon is approximately 238,855 miles. This distance varies slightly with changes in Earth’s orbit. The closest distance is 221,500 miles and the furthest distance is 252,700 miles. The moon also gets farther away by about an inch every year. However, that’s not a lot of movement when you consider that there are 63,360 inches in a mile.
How much does it cost to go to the moon?
A trip to the moon is not a cheap trip. According to CBS, the Artemis program is expected to cost nearly $93 billion by the end of 2025. The first four flights will cost $4.1 billion each. In addition to flight costs, there are also the costs of the SLS rocket development program and the Orion spacecraft.
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Is the American flag still on the moon?
Believe it or not, some of the flags planted on the moon may still be there, even though no one has walked on the moon in more than half a century. Photos taken by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter in 2012 confirmed that the American flag was still flying on the moon at that time. A total of six flags were placed during the Apollo missions, and the only one missing is the original flag.
Buzz Aldrin saw the flag being toppled when he returned to Earth after his last mission. The spacecraft was blown over by exhaust gases during liftoff. Although five of the flags are still standing, they are believed to be extremely faded.
How many times have humans been to the moon?
So far, there have been six missions to the moon. During the Apollo missions, 24 astronauts visited the moon, and 12 of them walked on the lunar surface.
Who was the first person to land on the moon?
Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon. In 1969, he took his first steps.
Who will be orbiting the moon in 2026?
NASA announced the names of the four astronauts who will fly around the moon on Artemis 2 in early April 2023. Three of them are NASA astronauts, including Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Hammock Koch. The other is a CSA astronaut named Jeremy Hansen.
Why was Artemis 2 delayed?
Although the original mission was scheduled for November 2024, unexpected corrosion of the Orion heat shield prompted NASA to postpone the Artemis 2 mission. Other issues, including problems with the rocket itself, led to further delays. As a result, Artemis 3 has also been delayed and is currently scheduled for release in mid-2027.
When is the next moon landing planned?
Artemis 3 will be the next time astronauts set foot on the moon. The mission is expected to take place in 2027, and astronauts will land near the moon’s south pole.
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This story was originally published by Parade on April 1, 2026 and first appeared in the Lifestyle section. Click here to add Parade as a preferred source.
