History of Lunar Exploration

An international fleet of unmanned lunar probes sent by the United States, Russia, Europe, India, Japan, and China has filled many gaps in our knowledge about the Moon. As the lunar quest continues into the 21st century -- and mankind returns to the Moon -- we will greatly increase our understanding of how the Moon, our world, and the entire solar system evolved. Today, rockets and spaceships dominate our thoughts about the Moon, but mankind's fascination with the Moon goes back to the very earliest civilizations. Beginning during the Renaissance in Europe, the Moon was scrutinized for 350 years after the perfection of the astronomical telescope, but its lofty perch a quarter million miles away kept its secrets well shrouded. The perfection of spaceflight in the mid-20th century allowed daring robotic and manned missions to the Moon. The amazing 20th century Apollo manned landings marked mankind's greatest scientific and technological achievement.