From Apollo to Artemis: The Next Giant Leap
From the dusty footprints of 1969 to the missions launching today, the spirit of lunar exploration is alive and heading back to the Moon.
Over half a century ago, the world stopped and stared at the night sky. On July 20, 1969, a human being stepped onto the surface of the Moon for the very first time. It was a revolutionary moment in history, one that completely redefined what was possible for humankind and proved that the boundaries of earthbound imagination could be shattered.
That giant leap didn't just change history; it inspired an entire generation to look up. It even paved the way for Astronaut Foods, which launched just five years later in 1974 to bring the authentic, tactile experience of space travel right to your fingertips. Decades after those first historic lunar footsteps, we are still fueled by that same exact spirit of wonder.
And right now, that spirit is taking us back.
The Foundation
The Blueprint of the Apollo Era
1969–1972 · 12 moonwalkers · One giant leap
The Apollo missions were a masterclass in raw determination. Using computers less powerful than the smartphone in your pocket, NASA sent 12 astronauts to walk on the lunar surface, collect samples, and change our understanding of our place in the universe.
But Apollo was never meant to be the final destination. It was the foundation. The lessons learned during those early missions laid the groundwork for everything that followed. From the Space Shuttle program to the International Space Station, and now, the next grand adventure.
July 20, 1969
Apollo 11 lands on the Moon — humanity's first steps on another world
1969–1972
Six lunar landings send 12 astronauts to walk on the surface and return samples
What followed
Apollo's lessons paved the way for the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station
The Next Chapter
The Next Giant Leap: Artemis
Today · Long-term lunar presence · Stepping stone to Mars
Today, we aren't just looking back at history with nostalgia; we are watching it happen all over again. With the Artemis missions, NASA is officially turning the page to the next chapter of lunar exploration.
While Apollo was about proving we could get to the Moon, Artemis is about learning to stay. This ambitious modern lunar program is designed to establish the first long-term human presence on the Moon. Even more exciting, the upcoming Artemis flights are set to land the first woman and the first person of color on the lunar surface, ensuring that the next generation of space exploration reflects all of humanity.
The technologies being tested right now during the Artemis program aren't just for the Moon, either, they are the literal stepping stones that will eventually carry astronauts all the way to Mars.
Now
Artemis missions work toward the first long-term human presence on the Moon
Coming flights
Set to land the first woman and the first person of color on the lunar surface
Beyond
Artemis technologies are the stepping stones that will carry astronauts to Mars
While Apollo was about proving we could get to the Moon, Artemis is about learning to stay.
Keep Exploring
From the dusty footprints of 1969 to the cutting-edge launches of the Artemis program today, the mission has never changed: to push farther into the unknown and fuel the explorer in all of us.
Whether you're prepping for a weekend trek into the backcountry or just daydreaming from your desk, you're part of that legacy. Grab your favorite pouch of freeze-dried space treats, look up at the Moon, and get ready for the next giant leap. The journey is just getting started.
Fuel your next giant leap
Explore our freeze-dried snacks, made with the same technology that feeds astronauts in space.
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