NASA Camera captures historic lunar flags

NASA Camera captures historic lunar flags

Forty years after astronauts landed on the moon for the last time, a lunar camera has revealed what happened to the flags they left behind.

NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera has captured images showing that all but one of the six American flags remain in place on their poles.

The flags were left on the moon during the six lunar landings to symbolise the United States' scientific and engineering achievement.

The first was the monumental July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 landing in which Neil Armstrong declared on live television, 'one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.’ Apollo 17 took part in the final mission in 1972.

From the LROC images it is now certain that the American flags are still standing and casting shadows at all of the sites, except Apollo 11.

(Source)