Has a Black Man Ever Been on the Moon? Debunking Myths in Space Exploration

Stop and think: if you pictured someone on the Moon, is that person white or Black? Most folks would probably picture the famous white astronauts from old grainy TV footage. So, has a Black man ever been on the Moon? The short answer is no, not yet. Every single person to set foot on the lunar surface has been a white male astronaut from NASA's Apollo missions, which ran from 1969 to 1972.

But there's more to the story than just a simple yes or no. Black scientists, engineers, and astronauts have helped shape space exploration for decades, even if their faces weren't on those famous moonwalk videos. Today, the push for a more diverse lineup in space—and on the Moon—is stronger than ever. Let's clear up the facts, shake off the myths, and see who's on track to change Moon history next.

• Who Has Actually Been to the Moon?
• Black Astronauts: Breaking Barriers in Space
• Why Weren't Black Men on Early Lunar Missions?
• Current Efforts for Diversity on the Moon
• Looking Ahead: Who Could Be Next?

Who Has Actually Been to the Moon?

Let’s keep it straight—so far, only 12 people have walked on the Moon, all between 1969 and 1972. Every single one was a white male astronaut from NASA’s Apollo missions. It’s such a small club that you could fit all the moonwalkers in a single minivan, no problem.

Here’s a quick breakdown of those missions and who got to live out the dream:

• Apollo 11 (1969): Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin
• Apollo 12 (1969): Charles Conrad, Alan Bean
• Apollo 14 (1971): Alan Shepard, Edgar Mitchell
• Apollo 15 (1971): David Scott, James Irwin
• Apollo 16 (1972): John Young, Charles Duke
• Apollo 17 (1972): Eugene Cernan, Harrison Schmitt

No Black astronaut or Black man has set foot on the lunar surface—yet. All these flights happened in a time when being a NASA astronaut, especially one picked for a trip to the Moon, had a pretty specific profile: white, male, military test pilot. That’s just how the system worked back then, even though it left out a lot of talented people.

To give you a sense of just how tiny and exclusive the Moon club is, check this out:

Yep, out of billions, only 12 have done it. And none were Black—at least not yet. It’s why folks still ask this question today and why it’s such a big deal when we talk about future moon missions and who’ll get the chance next.

Black Astronauts: Breaking Barriers in Space

Back in 1983, history was made when Guion Bluford became the first Black astronaut from the United States to travel into space. He didn’t go to the Moon, but Bluford’s ride on the Space Shuttle Challenger inspired a whole new generation to dream much bigger. People still look up to him as a sign that space, even if slow to change, isn’t just for one group of folks.

Mae Jemison followed soon after, becoming the first Black woman in space in 1992. After that, the list of Black astronauts kept growing, and they performed all sorts of jobs, from fixing satellites to leading missions. None of them landed on the Moon, though—they worked mostly on the Space Shuttle or on space stations that orbit Earth.

Here's a quick look at a few Black astronauts who’ve made history at NASA:

• Guion Bluford: First Black American in space (1983)
• Mae Jemison: First Black woman in space (1992)
• Bernard Harris: First Black astronaut to do a spacewalk (1995)
• Victor Glover: Served on SpaceX Crew-1 to the International Space Station (2020-2021)
• Jeanette Epps: Scheduled for her first flight to the ISS after years of training

If you look at the actual numbers, fewer than 20 Black Americans have gotten the chance to travel to space, compared to hundreds of white astronauts. NASA’s astronaut class of 2021 brought a bit more balance, with a stronger push toward diversity.

Being an astronaut means years of school, military service, or high-level science jobs, plus intense physical training. Groups like the “STEM” movement encourage more Black kids to chase dreams in space—hoping that, someday soon, a Black man will set foot on the Moon.

Why Weren't Black Men on Early Lunar Missions?

If you're wondering why no Black astronaut made it to the Moon during Apollo, it honestly comes down to how things were in America at the time. The Apollo era—late 1960s to early 1970s—was basically the height of segregation and the Civil Rights movement. NASA, like most big institutions back then, didn't exactly jump at the chance to make its teams more diverse. The pool of astronauts at the time was mostly chosen from military test pilots, and those roles were almost entirely white males.

Here’s some perspective. NASA didn't even select its first Black astronauts until 1978—years after the last person walked on the Moon. This group included guys like Guion Bluford and Ronald McNair, who broke huge ground in the Space Shuttle program. But by then, the whole Apollo program and lunar landings were already history.

Back in the 60s, education and job opportunities for Black Americans in science, tech, and aviation just weren’t as open as they are now. So, the odds of a Black man being picked for an Apollo mission were almost zero—not because they didn’t have the drive, but because the system just wasn’t built for them to get there.

Here's a quick comparison of astronaut selections up through the Apollo era:

The Moon landing crews came from the first few astronaut groups. Since Black astronauts joined later, they just weren’t in the running when it came to picking people for the Moon.

Current Efforts for Diversity on the Moon

The old days of only white men heading out on Moon missions are gone. NASA is seriously trying to change the game. Their Artemis program is a big deal for anyone following space exploration and watching who’s chosen for Moon crews. NASA says the Artemis missions will land the first woman and the first person of color on the Moon. It’s not just talk—they’ve picked a more diverse group for their Artemis Team roster than ever before.

Here’s a quick look at who’s on deck for Artemis. From the current NASA astronaut corps, about 18 people were highlighted for possible Moon missions. This group includes Black astronauts like Victor Glover and Jessica Watkins (yes, she’s Black and a woman), both rising stars who could easily make history on a future Moon landing.

• Victor Glover: First Black astronaut to live on the International Space Station for an extended mission. Named as an Artemis Team astronaut.
• Jessica Watkins: First Black woman on a long-duration space station flight. Also a part of the Artemis Team.

NASA isn’t the only one in the game either. International partners and private crews (like SpaceX’s future plans) are expected to have more Black astronauts on board. Diversity is front and center now, and everyone is watching for who actually gets picked for lunar surface duty once Artemis takes off.

Adding more diversity to NASA Moon missions isn’t just about ticking a box. NASA says you solve bigger problems when your team comes from all walks of life. So when the next set of boots hits that dusty lunar surface, there’s a strong chance history will be made in more ways than one.

Looking Ahead: Who Could Be Next?

If you’re wondering who might break the barrier and become the first Black astronaut to walk on the Moon, the list of candidates is more real than ever. NASA’s Artemis program is gearing up to send humans back to the lunar surface, and this time, they’ve been vocal about making sure it won’t just be a repeat of Apollo’s all-white, all-male crews.

Meet Victor Glover. In 2020, he made history as the first Black astronaut to live aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for a long-term mission. Now, Glover is part of the Artemis II crew, scheduled to circle the Moon in 2025. He won’t be landing this time, but his seat on the crew marks a massive step. If the trend holds, he or another Black astronaut could be on Artemis III—the mission meant to put boots on the Moon again.

Mentioning Glover, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said:

“Victor Glover represents the best of America’s new era in human space exploration.”

But Glover isn’t the only name on the list. Other experienced Black astronauts, like Jeanette Epps and Stephanie Wilson, are also potential picks for future Moon missions. Here’s a quick look at some frontrunners for the next historic Moonwalk:

• Victor Glover – Artemis II pilot, with a shot at future Moon landings.
• Jeanette Epps – Set to launch to the ISS, with deep experience in aerospace.
• Stephanie Wilson – Three-time spaceflight veteran, often mentioned in NASA leadership roles.

NASA is being pushed by both public opinion and government targets to make the next Moon crew as diverse as possible—not just in color, but by including the first woman on the Moon as well. You’d better believe there’s a real chance the first non-white astronaut on the Moon will step out of the capsule in our lifetimes.

If you want the stats, check out this table. It shows active Black NASA astronauts and their mission experience as of April 2025:

The real takeaway: the next few years are set up for big moments in NASA history—and maybe, finally, the first Black man on the Moon. This is one history-making mission you can root for and watch unfold.