A gallery of some of the men who journeyed into space — and what they have done since returning to Earth
Buzz Aldrin, Apollo 11, 1969
Along with Neil Armstrong, Aldrin journeyed to the moon's surface and became the second man to set foot on its surface. Before that, as part of the Gemini 12 mission, he was one of the first to walk in space.NASA
Cunningham Today
After leaving NASA in 1971, Cunningham graduated from Harvard Business School and worked as a businessman and investor. In 1977, he published The All-American Boys, a reminiscence of his astronaut days. He is currently a radio personality and public speaker.David Burnett / Contact Press Images for TIME
James Lovell, Apollo 13, 1970
The commander of the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission who is memorialized in a Hollywood film, Lovell journeyed to space four times. He also orbited the moon in Apollo 8 and orbited Earth in Gemini 7 and 12.Bettmann / Corbis
Lovell Today
An author, public speaker and film consultant, Lovell has held various executive positions in the telecommunications industry and opened a restaurant in Lake Forest, Ill., with his eldest son, a chef.David Burnett / Contact Press Images for TIME
Aldrin Today
The moon walker has written books and lectured since his historic flight. He is the head of ShareSpace, a group that advocates private spaceflight.David Burnett / Contact Press Images for TIME
Charlie Duke, Apollo 16, 1972
During his nearly three-day stay on the lunar surface, Duke collected close to 213 lb. of rocks and soil. He also served as the backup lunar module pilot for Apollo 17.Bettmann / CORBIS
Duke Today
After founding his own investment group and running a beer distributorship, Duke turned to religion. He is now a secular, motivational and spiritual speaker.David Burnett / Contact Press Images for TIME
Alan Bean, Apollo 12, 1969
Along with Commander Charles Conrad, Bean landed and walked on the moon's Ocean of Storms. He later commanded his own Skylab mission.NASA
Bean Today
The former lunar-module pilot has devoted his life to painting the moon and the astronauts who have explored it. An exhibit of his work recently opened in Washington.David Burnett / Contact Press Images for TIME
Fred Haise, Apollo 13, 1970
Haise's mission was to land on the moon, but an explosion forced him and his crew (seen here with President Nixon; Haise is at far left) to abort their plans. Haise was also chosen to command Apollo 18 before that mission was canceled.NASA / Zuma
Haise Today
Upon his return, Haise went to work for Grumman, which had built the lunar lander that the Apollo 13 crew members used to rescue themselves.David Burnett / Contact Press Images for TIME
Walter Cunningham, Apollo 7, 1968
Flying with Walter M. Schirra Jr. and Donn F. Eisele, Cunningham occupied the pilot seat of Apollo 7 — the first manned mission in the Apollo program — for 11 days in the fall of 1968.NASA
