Abstract: The Apollo Program launched in 1961 was an iconic technological project of the 20th century. The “Earthrise” photo taken by Apollo 8 and the “Blue Marble” photo captured by Apollo 17 subverted humanity’s perception of the Earth, awakened awareness of ecological protection, and promoted attention to the shared destiny of mankind. However, the moon landing “conspiracy theory” has long been popular. It not only reflects the complex social psychology of that era but also embodies the political trust crisis and anti-intellectual trend in American society in the 1970s. In the field of artistic creation, the program drove the prosperity of technical realism in science fiction works, integrated ethical and social reflections, and led to the peak development of the “hard science fiction” genre. In terms of science education, it promoted the reform of STEM education in the United States, improved the scientific literacy of the whole people, cultivated a large number of scientific and technological talents, and laid the foundation for the development of science and technology in the United States.

Key Words: Apollo Program; Public perception; Moon landing “conspiracy theory”; Sci-fi art; STEM

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