Apollo 8

Mission Overview

The Apollo 8 mission was a critical part of NASA's lunar exploration push. First human flight to orbit the Moon. Broadcast a reading of Genesis on Christmas Eve and captured Earthrise. The engineering advances made in guidance systems, thermal protection, computing, and structural engineering defined a generation of technology. The data returning from this mission shaped planetary geology, astronomy, and solar physics, cementing its position in human technological history.

Flight Crew & Officers

Frank Borman

Crew Member Colonel, USAF

Bill Anders

Crew Member Civilian

Jim Lovell

Crew Member Colonel, USAF

Multimedia Gallery

Official NASA historical record photography for Apollo 8.