The last crewed moon launch was Apollo 17 on December 7, 1972 , when NASA sent astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt to the Moon. They were the last humans to walk on the lunar surface, leaving behind more than 50 years later.

Quick Scoop: Last Moon Launch Details

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Aspect Crewed Mission (Last) Robotic Mission (Recent)
**Launch Date** December 7, 1972 Multiple in 2024–2025
**Mission Name** Apollo 17 Various (China, Japan, USA CLPS)
**Operator** NASA (USA) NASA, CNSA, JAXA, private companies
**Astronauts on Surface** 2 (Cernan & Schmitt) 0 (robotic only)
**Days on Moon** 3 days N/A

Important Distinction: Crewed vs. Robotic

The answer depends on what you mean by "moon launch":

  • Last crewed launch : Apollo 17 (December 7, 1972) — humans actually traveled to the Moon
  • Last robotic launch : Several unmanned lunar missions launched recently in 2024–2025, including Chinese sample-return missions and NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) landers

Humanity's Return to the Moon

NASA is currently preparing the Artemis program to return humans to the Moon, with Artemis II scheduled to fly crewed around the Moon and Artemis III planned to land astronauts near the lunar south pole.

"Apollo 17 was the final flight of the Apollo program, and Apollo 17 astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt were the last humans to walk on the Moon"

The 50+ year gap between crewed lunar missions represents the longest period without human presence on another celestial body in space exploration history.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.