Last Updated on August 4, 2025 by Matt Staff
In August of 1971, Apollo 15 set out on what would become one of NASA’s most ambitious and scientifically valuable lunar missions. Astronauts David Scott, James Irwin, and Alfred Worden brought a new level of exploration to the Moon, equipped with the first Lunar Roving Vehicle and a mission plan focused on geology and extended surface activity.
From the dramatic launch at Cape Kennedy to the awe-inspiring moments spent driving across the Moon’s surface, Apollo 15 captured the world’s imagination. These vintage photos offer a glimpse into the groundbreaking mission, showing the preparation, the people, and the unforgettable scenes that defined a new era of space exploration.
1. Fifty years ago the Apollo 15 astronauts raised an American flag on the Moon with a crossbar to give the illusion it was flying in the wind
2. The Apollo command and service module Endeavour seen in lunar orbit from the Apollo 15 lunar module
3. On August 2, 1971 Apollo 15 Astronauts David Scott and James Irwin placed a commemorative plaque on the Moon honoring the 14 astronauts and cosmonauts who died in the pursuit of space exploration
4. The surface of the Moon comes into view from inside the spacecraft as Apollo 15 lands fifty-four years ago today
5. Apollo 15 Commander Dave Scott demonstrates the law of gravity by dropping a hammer and a feather on the Moon to show they fall at the same rate
6. Apollo 15 astronaut James B. Irwin with the lunar module and lunar roving vehicle on August 1, 1971
7. The crew of Apollo 15 poses with their lunar rover in 1971
8. A breathtaking view of the lunar surface from orbit captured by the Apollo 15 crew
9. An Apollo 15 astronaut stands beside the lunar rover during their historic Moon mission in 1971
10. The crew of Apollo 15 captures a stunning image of Earth as seen from the surface of the Moon
11. Apollo 15 astronauts David Scott, Al Worden, and James Irwin pose with the Lunar Roving Vehicle and their personal Corvettes
12. A hard landing for Apollo 15 as the Falcon’s engine bell touched the lunar surface along with its footpads
13. The Apollo 15 landing site on the Moon
14. The powerful launch of Apollo 15 begins another historic journey to the Moon
15. Apollo 15 astronaut measures lunar surface activity during a mission experiment in 1971
Explore more space content:
Apollo 15 wasn’t just another trip to the Moon; it was a turning point in how humanity explored space. With extended moonwalks, the first lunar rover, and an increased focus on science, it set a precedent for missions to come. If you enjoyed this look back at Apollo 15, you might also like 15 Moments That Made NASA a Household Name, or 24 Vintage Photos That Capture NASA Over the Years Perfectly, or even these 20 Vintage Photos That Perfectly Capture NASA in the 1960s.
