Richard Nixon
contributorPolitics & Public Policy
U.S. president during all six Apollo Moon landings, whose administration faced decisions about the program's remaining missions and future space spending.
- Primary role
- U.S. president during Apollo's Moon landings
3 related records 5 sources
Richard Nixon in profile, seated in the Oval Office with his chin resting on his hand
Credit: Oliver F. Atkins / White House Photo Office / Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives (NAID 194328). Public domain — U.S. federal government photograph.
Image source and licenseAbout this image
Richard Nixon seated in the Oval Office in an official presidential photograph, September 2, 1970.
Biography
Place in spaceflight history
Nixon spoke with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin during the Apollo 11 Moonwalk in July 1969. Earlier that year he had established a Space Task Group to recommend what should follow Apollo. He declined its ambitious expansion plans, and reductions in NASA's budget contributed to the cancellation of two planned lunar missions in September 1970.
Apollo's success did not guarantee continued funding at the same scale. Nixon's presidency connects the achievement of Kennedy's goal with the political choices that limited further lunar exploration. The final Apollo Moon landing took place in December 1972.
Richard Nixon’s archive record spans President of the United States, 1969–1974, Space policy leader through work connected with Executive Office of the President of the United States. The linked record places that work within Apollo.
Career profile
Roles, organizations, and programs
Roles
- President of the United States, 1969–1974
- Space policy leader
Programs
- Apollo
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Missions and programs
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Other names mentioned
- ApolloSpaceflight program
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Sources
Original references supporting this record. Each source opens on its publisher’s website.
- 1.Richard Nixon Presidential Library: July 20, 1969 records and Moonwalk telephone callOpens external site
- 2.NASA: President Nixon Establishes Space Task Group to Chart Post-Apollo PlansOpens external site
- 3.Richard Nixon Presidential Library: President Nixon biographyOpens external site
- 4.Photograph: Oliver F. Atkins / White House Photo Office / Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives (NAID 194328) (Public domain — U.S. federal government photograph)Opens external site
- 5.Photograph source and rights recordOpens external site
Archive maintenance details
Record content was checked against the linked sources.
- Sources reviewed
- October 10, 2026
- Information current through
- October 10, 2026