Current Status of Apollo Astronauts as of 2026
As of mid-2026, of the 24 people who flew to the Moon under NASA’s Apollo program between 1968 and 1972, fewer than 10 remain alive. This status list is updated only when a verifiable death is publicly confirmed through authoritative sources such as NASA announcements, family statements, or reputable news reports. The table below reflects the most recent confirmed status using mission archives and obituary cross-checks.
| Apollo Mission | Crew (Commander, LMP, CMP) | Status (2026) | Date of Death (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apollo 7 | Wally Schirra, Donn Eisele, Walter Cunningham | Deceased | Schirra (May 1927–Aug 2017); Eisele (July 1930–Dec 1987); Cunningham (Mar 1932–Jan 2023) |
| Apollo 8 | Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, William Anders | Deceased / Alive / Deceased | Borman (Mar 1928–Dec 2023); Lovell (Aug 1928–alive); Anders (Oct 1933–June 2024) |
| Apollo 9 | James McDivitt, David Scott, Rusty Schweickart | Deceased / Alive / Alive | McDivitt (Mar 1929–Oct 2022) |
| Apollo 10 | Tom Stafford, John Young, Eugene Cernan | Deceased / Alive / Deceased | Stafford (Sept 1930–March 2024); Young (Nov 1930–Jan 2018); Cernan (Mar 1934–Jan 2017) |
| Apollo 11 | Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins | Deceased / Alive / Deceased | Armstrong (Aug 1930–Aug 2012); Collins (Oct 1930–Jan 2021) |
| Apollo 12 | Charles Conrad, Alan Bean, Richard Gordon | Deceased / Deceased / Deceased | Conrad (June 1930–July 1999); Bean (Mar 1932–May 2018); Gordon (Oct 1929–Nov 2017) |
| Apollo 13 | James Lovell, Fred Haise, Jack Swigert | Alive / Alive / Deceased | |
| Apollo 14 | Alan Shepard, Edgar Mitchell, Stuart Roosa | Deceased / Deceased / Deceased | Shepard (Nov 1923–July 1998); Mitchell (Sept 1930–Feb 2016); Roosa (Oct 1933–Dec 1994) |
| Apollo 15 | David Scott, James Irwin, Alfred Worden | Alive / Deceased / Alive | Irwin (Mar 1930–Aug 1991) |
| Apollo 16 | John Young, Charles Duke, Ken Mattingly | Deceased / Alive / Alive | Young (Nov 1930–Jan 2018) |
| Apollo 17 | Eugene Cernan, Harrison Schmitt, Ronald Evans | Deceased / Alive / Deceased | Cernan (Mar 1934–Jan 2017); Evans (Oct 1933–April 2022) |
Based on this record, the Apollo astronauts still alive as of mid-2026 are: James Lovell (Apollo 8, 13), David Scott (Apollo 9, 15), Rusty Schweickart (Apollo 9), Ken Mattingly (Apollo 16), and Harrison Schmitt (Apollo 17).
- As of July 2026, Mattingly is the oldest living former astronaut from the program at 87 years old.
- Lovell and Scott remain active in speaking and stewardship roles related to space history.
- No Apollo-era astronaut younger than 90 is known to be deceased, according to current public obituary data.
What Defines an Apollo Astronaut
The Apollo program ran from 1961 to 1972 and included the first human journeys beyond low Earth orbit. Astronauts flew under Apollo 7 through Apollo 17, with Apollo 13 aborting its lunar landing. Each mission contributed distinct scientific and engineering milestones, whether it was the first lunar orbit, first Moon landing, or first Lunar rover deployment. The term “Apollo astronaut” typically refers to those assigned to fly lunar missions under NASA’s crewed lunar landing program.
Methodology for This Status List
Status determinations rely on authoritative sources only: NASA historical crew pages, official mission transcripts, verified obituaries from recognized news organizations, and statements from space agency or family representatives. When a public death is confirmed, the entry is updated with the date of death and citation. Cross-referencing between mission archives and memorial records helps reduce ambiguity. Where information remains unconfirmed or conflicting, the entry is labeled as alive and flagged for future review.
Common Misconceptions and Clarifications
Some assume all Apollo astronauts have passed away because the program ended decades ago. In fact, more than half of the crewed mission participants lived into the 21st century, and a subset remains alive. Another misconception ties mission hazard directly to astronaut survival; while Apollo 13 faced life-threatening failure, most crewed flights succeeded without fatal incident. Birth years range from 1923 to 1935, so age alone does not determine current status. Verification is necessary for each individual because mission patch or role (Commander, LM Pilot, Command Module Pilot) does not predict lifespan.
Biographical Notes and Career Context
Many Apollo astronauts continued significant work after NASA, including test pilot roles, business careers, or advocacy for science education. Command Module Pilots often supported operations behind the scenes, while Lunar Module Pilots and Commanders walked on the surface. Post-NASA paths varied widely, influencing public profiles and the availability of up-to-date biographical records. These careers outside of flight inform why some individuals remain more visible or easier to confirm status for than others.
FAQ
Reader questions
How do you verify whether an Apollo astronaut is alive or deceased?
Verification depends on NASA crew records, reputable obituaries, and, when available, statements from family or official institutions. Cross-checking multiple sources helps confirm dates of death and current status.
What will happen when the last Apollo astronaut passes away?
Publicly available records will be updated with the date of death and citation. Historical documentation of the program will continue through archives, museum collections, and institutional records.
Is it possible for someone to be ‘missing’ or unaccounted for after an Apollo mission?
No. All Apollo astronauts have continuous public records after their flights, and no member of the program is listed as missing by NASA or governmental authorities.
Do Apollo astronaut status updates happen in real time?
Status changes are published only after credible public confirmation. Updates are not speculative and follow recognized reporting standards.
Are commercial spaceflight participants included in this list?
No. This list covers only government-trained crew who flew under NASA’s Apollo program between 1968 and 1972.