Quick Scoop

The answer depends on what you mean by “been on the Moon.” **12 people** have walked on the Moon, and **24 astronauts** have traveled to the Moon in total.

Moonwalkers

These are the people who actually stepped onto the lunar surface. The Apollo missions between 1969 and 1972 put 12 male astronauts on the Moon.

Moon travelers

If you count everyone who went to the Moon’s vicinity, then the total is 24 astronauts. Half of them stayed in lunar orbit while the other half landed and walked on the surface.

Historical context

All of these Moon trips were part of NASA’s Apollo program. No human has traveled beyond low Earth orbit outside those Apollo Moon missions, according to the sources reviewed.

Meta description: 12 people have walked on the Moon, and 24 astronauts have gone to the Moon in total.

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