On the desolate surface of the Moon, amid the countless footprints left by human exploration, lies a small but powerful testament to human sacrifice. During the Apollo 15 mission in 1971, astronaut David R. Scott quietly placed a commemorative plaque and a tiny aluminum figure in the lunar soil. This memorial, known as the Fallen Astronaut, became the first known art installation on the Moon’s surface.”
The Artist and the Astronaut

Astronaut David Scott commissioned Belgian artist Paul Van Hoeydonck to create a small aluminum sculpture for the Apollo 15 mission. While accounts vary on the details of their initial discussions, the result was a historic lunar memorial. The artist was given specific parameters: the figure needed to be lightweight yet durable, capable of withstanding extreme lunar temperatures, and deliberately designed to represent all of humanity without specific gender or ethnic characteristics.
A Secret Mission Within a Mission

The Apollo 15 mission, which launched on July 26, 1971, carried multiple objectives, from exploring the Hadley-Apennine region to conducting crucial lunar experiments. However, one of its most poignant moments remained secret until after the mission’s completion. The crew had quietly transported the memorial, waiting for the right moment to place it on the lunar surface.
The plaque accompanying the figure bears fourteen names representing both American astronauts and Soviet cosmonauts who gave their lives in the pursuit of space exploration. The plaque was stuck in the lunar soil by astronauts David R. Scott during their lunar surface extravehicular activity.
Breaking Records and Breaking Silence

Apollo 15 set numerous records, including carrying the heaviest payload in lunar orbit (approximately 107,000 pounds) and achieving the maximum radial distance traveled on the lunar surface (about 17.5 miles). Yet, the existence of the memorial plaque and sculpture remained undisclosed until after the mission’s completion, adding another layer of significance to this already historic journey.
Controversy and Commercialization

Following the mission, controversy emerged when Van Hoeydonck announced plans to sell replicas of the Fallen Astronaut. After facing public backlash and NASA’s opposition, he ultimately abandoned the plan. This action conflicted with NASA’s strict policy against commercial exploitation of the space program. The situation led to tension between the artist and NASA, ultimately resulting in Van Hoeydonck retracting his permission for the replicas.
Legacy and Remembrance

The memorial stands as a reminder of the true cost of space exploration. Interestingly, even this solemn tribute has its omissions – the names of Valentin Bondarenko and Grigori Nelyubov were unknown to the Western world at the time due to the secrecy surrounding the Soviet space program. Additionally, Robert Henry Lawrence Jr., the first black astronaut, was also not included on the plaque.
The Honored Fourteen
Charles A. Bassett II (1931-1966)

Captain Charles “Charlie” Bassett was selected as a NASA astronaut in 1963 and was assigned as pilot for Gemini 9. Before he could fulfill this mission, he tragically died in a T-38 crash near Lambert Field in St. Louis, along with fellow astronaut Elliott See. Bassett was known for his exceptional skills as a test pilot and his dedication to the space program. His legacy lives on through the advances in spaceflight safety protocols implemented after his accident.
Pavel I. Belyayev (1925-1970)

Colonel Pavel Belyayev was a Soviet cosmonaut who commanded the Voskhod 2 mission, during which Alexei Leonov conducted the first spacewalk in history. Despite facing serious technical difficulties during reentry, Belyayev successfully guided the spacecraft to a manual landing. He died in 1970 due to complications following surgery for a stomach ulcer, after contributing significantly to the Soviet space program’s achievements.
Roger B. Chaffee (1935-1967)

Lieutenant Commander Roger Chaffee was one of the three astronauts who perished in the Apollo 1 fire. Selected as an astronaut in 1963, Chaffee was a talented engineer and pilot who never got the chance to fly in space. He died alongside Ed White and Gus Grissom during a pre-launch test for Apollo 1. His death led to major improvements in spacecraft safety and design.
Georgi Dobrovolsky (1928-1971)

Lieutenant Colonel Georgi Dobrovolsky commanded the Soyuz 11 mission to the world’s first space station, Salyut 1. Along with his crew, he set a new record for the longest time in space at that time. Tragically, he and his fellow cosmonauts Vladislav Volkov and Viktor Patsayev died during reentry due to a pressure vessel failure in their spacecraft, becoming the only humans to date to die in space.
Theodore C. Freeman (1930-1964)

Captain Theodore Freeman was among NASA’s third group of astronauts. A distinguished test pilot, he died when a goose struck his T-38 aircraft’s canopy, causing him to crash. Freeman was the first active American astronaut to die in the line of duty, and his death led to improved aircraft canopy designs and bird strike prevention measures.
Yuri A. Gagarin (1934-1968)

Colonel Yuri Gagarin made history as the first human to journey into space, orbiting Earth in Vostok 1 on April 12, 1961. His famous words “Poyekhali!” (“Let’s go!”) became synonymous with humanity’s venture into space. Gagarin died in a MiG-15UTI crash during a routine training flight, cutting short the life of one of spaceflight’s most iconic pioneers.
Edward G. Givens Jr. (1930-1967)

Major Edward Givens was selected as an astronaut in 1966 as part of NASA’s fifth astronaut group. An experienced test pilot with over 3,500 hours of flight time, he served on the support crew for Apollo 7. Givens died in a car accident near Houston, ending a promising career in the space program before he could fly a mission.
Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom (1926-1967)

Lieutenant Colonel Gus Grissom was one of NASA’s original Mercury Seven astronauts. He flew the second Mercury mission and commanded the first Gemini flight, becoming the first person to fly in space twice. Grissom died in the Apollo 1 fire alongside Ed White and Roger Chaffee. His experience and leadership was considered crucial to NASA’s goal of reaching the Moon.
Vladimir Komarov (1927-1967)

Colonel Vladimir Komarov was the first Soviet cosmonaut to fly in space twice and, tragically, the first human to die during a space mission. He commanded Voskhod 1 and later Soyuz 1, which suffered fatal control problems during reentry. Komarov knew of potential problems with the spacecraft but chose to fly anyway, possibly saving fellow cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, who was his backup.
Read More: The Moon is Drifting Away from Earth and It’s Actually Having an Impact on Time
Viktor Patsayev (1933-1971)

Viktor Patsayev served as Test Engineer on the Soyuz 11 mission to Salyut 1. He conducted numerous scientific experiments during the mission, including the first spectroscopic studies of Earth’s atmosphere from space. He perished alongside his crewmates Dobrovolsky and Volkov during their return to Earth, when their capsule depressurized during reentry.
Elliot M. See Jr. (1927-1966)

Elliot See was selected as a NASA astronaut in 1962. He was assigned to command Gemini 9 but died alongside Charles Bassett when their T-38 crashed in poor weather while preparing for their mission. A talented engineer and pilot, See had previously worked on General Electric’s design of spacecraft control systems.
Vladislav Volkov (1935-1971)

Vladislav Volkov was a flight engineer who flew on Soyuz 7 and Soyuz 11. During the Soyuz 11 mission, he helped set a new space endurance record while conducting vital experiments aboard Salyut 1. He died with his crewmates during reentry, but his contributions to space station operations helped pave the way for future long-duration spaceflight.
Edward H. White II (1930-1967)

Lieutenant Colonel Ed White became the first American to walk in space during Gemini 4, describing it as “the most comfortable part of the mission.” Selected with NASA’s second group of astronauts, he was chosen as Senior Pilot for Apollo 1. White died alongside Grissom and Chaffee in the Apollo 1 fire, but his spacewalk achievements inspired generations of astronauts.
Clifton C. Williams Jr. (1932-1967)

Major Clifton Williams was selected as an astronaut in 1963. He served as a backup pilot for Gemini 10 and was in line for rotation to a prime crew assignment when he died in a T-38 crash near Tallahassee, Florida. His death highlighted the ongoing risks faced by astronauts during their training and preparation activities.
This memorial, resting quietly on the lunar surface, ensures that these fourteen pioneers of space exploration will never be forgotten. Their sacrifices and contributions continue to inspire future generations of space explorers and remind us of both the costs and importance of pushing the boundaries of human achievement.
Read More: 17 Myths and Facts About the Moon Landing