The Moon Chronicle is a new history of lunar exploration. Part chronicle, part encyclopedia, part atlas, this living document is designed for free download as a series of PDF files of about 120 pages each. No limit is placed on the duplication, distribution or use of the Moon Chronicle except that it must remain free to users. Library or institutional use is permitted, and files may be rehosted anywhere else for further free download.
The Chronicle sections are designed such that if printed double-sided the occasional double page spreads will face each other properly. Formatting changes may occur between applications, and if this disturbs the pagination anyone is permitted to make small adjustments to their version to correct the problem. Copies may be printed and bound, and the cost of printing and binding can be recovered, but no other commercial use is permitted.
The emphasis is on documenting places and activities. Science, technology and the people involved (other than lunar astronauts) are only mentioned briefly. There is a particular emphasis on landing site selection. Missions and events are organized chronologically, and each is presented as a separate article with references included (so no large reference list at the end).
This is a living document. Sections may be updated from time to time. The series will continue until I can no longer continue it. Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy it and find it useful.
Phil Stooke,
Victoria, British Columbia,
October 2025.
| Luna 1 - Lunar Orbiter 1 |
From the beginning of the Space Age (and even slightly before) to the beginnings of preparation for Apollo. This section covers the Soviet Union's early Luna missions up to Luna 9 and Luna 10 (first lander and first orbiter), and NASA's Ranger missions plus the first Surveyor lander and the first Lunar Orbiter imaging mission. | DOWNLOAD | |
| Luna 11 - Surveyor 7 | Prelude to Apollo. This section covers most of NASA's Surveyor and Lunar Orbiter missions and some of the Soviet Union's Luna missions including its Luna 13 lander. The search for Apollo landing sites is documented in detail. | DOWNLOAD | |
| Zond 4 - Apollo 12 |
The first Apollo landings. This section covers Apollos 8 and 10 in lunar orbit and Apollos 11 and 12 on the surface. The Soviet Union flew several Zond missions to the Moon as it tried to catch up. I also cover more site selection work. | DOWNLOAD | |
| Apollo 13-14, Luna 16-17 | This section includes the Apollo 13 accident and the triumphant return to the Moon of Apollo 14. A Soviet response began with a robotic sample return mission (Luna 16) and the remarkable journey of Lunokhod 1, the first remotely operated rover on the Moon. | DOWNLOAD | |
| Apollo 15 - Apollo 16 | The great voyages of exploration. This section covers Apollo 15 and Apollo 16, with new maps of the rover routes which are more accurate than any contemporary maps. The Soviet Union's Luna 19 orbiter and Luna 20 sample return missions are also described and illustrated. | DOWNLOAD | |
| Apollo 17 - Luna 24 |
The end of the beginning. This section of the Chronicle covers Apollo 17 in many new maps and then looks at the final Soviet missions - the long distance rover Lunokhod 2 and its final sample return mission, Luna 24. The section concludes with the end of operations of the Apollo surface experiments in 1977. | DOWNLOAD | |
| Hiten - Constellation | IN PROGRESS - After Apollo, after Luna, the Moon was left alone for more than a decade. The return to the Moon began with a new player, Japan, and its Hiten mission. Other missions followed: Lunar Prospector, Clementine, and Europe's SMART-1, and then the prospect of a human return to the Moon arose in the form of Constellation. Many other mission concepts were suggested throughout this period and are described briefly here. | Coming Soon |
Revision notes: