The Apollo 11 Astronauts and Their Career Trajectories

One of the frequent questions that arises in the context of the Apollo program, particularly concerning the astronauts who flew on Apollo 11, is whether there was a policy that prevented them from flying again. A thorough examination of NASA's policies and the landscape of the Apollo program reveals that while there didn't necessarily exist a specific policy prohibiting the Apollo 11 crew from flying again, the nature of the program and the selection process certainly played a significant role.

Crew Selection and Program Cancellations

It is important to recognize that the Apollo program, while an ambitious and historic achievement, was subject to numerous changes and cancellations. The program aimed to land astronauts on the moon, but the ambitious timeline and budget constraints meant that not all astronauts who were selected would meet their flight opportunities. This is evident in the strict crew selection and rotation policies NASA imposed.

By the time the Apollo program was curtailed in September 1970, the total number of missions was limited to 17 manned missions. This meant that only a small number of astronauts could realistically fly multiple missions. Contrary to popular belief, there was no specific policy that prevented the Apollo 11 crew members from flying again. However, the strict selection and rotation policies meant that those who initially flew with Apollo 11 may not have qualified to fly again due to changes in the program.

The Apollo 11 Crew and Their Opportunities

Only three astronauts went to the moon twice in the Apollo program. These astronauts were:

James Lovell: He flew on Apollo 8 (lunar orbit) and Apollo 13 (lunar fly-by). John Young: He flew on Apollo 10 (lunar orbit) and Apollo 16 as the commander, and later became the first person to fly the Space Shuttle twice as commander of the maiden flight (STS-1) and STS-9, which used Spacelab for the first time. Gene Cernan: He flew on Apollo 10 (lunar orbit) and Apollo 17 (full mission) as the commander.

While most astronauts who flew to the moon only went once, these three astronauts achieved the rare feat of landing on the moon twice. However, as you can see, even these astronauts were limited to the Apollo 10 mission and beyond.

Post-Apollo Career Paths

After Apollo 11, the crew members, including the iconic Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, pursued various other opportunities within NASA. Michael Collins, who remained in lunar orbit, also continued his career with NASA. However, the program's curtailment meant that many other astronauts who had hoped to fly again either retired or chose not to pursue subsequent missions.

It is crucial to note that the astronauts' career post-Apollo 11 varied widely. Some continued to be involved in space exploration in other capacities. For example, John Young went on to become the first person to fly both the Space Shuttle and the Apollo program, while Fred Haise and Ken Mattingly contributed to the development of the Space Shuttle and flew on various missions. Joe Engle, Vance Brand, Owen Garriott, and Jack Lousma also continued their careers, albeit not as part of the Apollo program.

Skylab and the Final Use of Saturn V

One fascinating note is that Skylab, which was the United States' first and only space station, was actually launched using a Saturn V rocket. This was one of the unused rockets from the cancelled Apollo moon missions. Skylab's Saturn V was modified for the Skylab mission, and it served as a stepping stone between the Apollo program and the later Space Shuttle program.

Conclusion

The Apollo program, despite its tremendous achievements, faced numerous challenges, including budget constraints, program cancellations, and crew selection policies. While there may not have been a specific policy barring the Apollo 11 crew from flying again, the nature of the program and its limitations meant that such opportunities were rare. The careers of Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins post-Apollo 11 were shaped by these constraints and the broader goals of the space exploration initiatives that followed.

Moreover, the careers of other astronauts who participated in the Apollo program, such as John Young and others, highlight how the skills and experiences gained through the Apollo missions contributed to the next phase of space exploration, including the Space Shuttle era.