Recorded event
Leaving the lunar surface
The ascent stage lifted off to rejoin the command module.
All timelines From the beginning
Apollo 11: the journey to the Moon
Eight days, a lunar landing, and a return to Earth. Follow the mission in sequence, with NASA records at every step.
Reviewed 9/21/2026
Mission milestones use UTC. The first moonwalk falls on July 21 in UTC, although it was July 20 in the United States.
Dates without a time use the local date of the event.
Recorded event
Return to Earth
The crew splashed down in the Pacific Ocean.
Through 7/24/1969
Mission milestones use UTC. The first moonwalk falls on July 21 in UTC, although it was July 20 in the United States.