[Reading Science] "Flag fluttering in a vacuum?"... The long-standing Moon landing conspiracy theory

Since the 1969 Apollo 11 Landing, 'Hoax Theories' Abound
NASA Denies "Impossible to Fake," Yet Doubts Persist

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] On July 20, 1969 (U.S. time), Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin successfully made humanity's first moon landing aboard Apollo 11, but conspiracy theories have persisted ever since. It is claimed that NASA staged photos in the Arizona desert and faked the moon landing.

One of the main suspicions is the claim that the American flag planted on the vacuum of the moon appears to flutter, which seems impossible. In fact, the photos distributed by NASA clearly show the flag appearing to flutter. However, upon closer inspection, a wire inserted into the flag keeps it extended. Scientists also counter that when astronauts planted the flag, the impact caused it to move, and because of the vacuum, it did not stop easily.

There is also the question, "Why are no stars visible in the photos?"

For those who have seen many movies depicting space filled with bright starlight, this suspicion may seem natural. However, the photos were taken during the lunar daytime according to moon time. Considering that the cameras’ focus and exposure were set to account for sunlight, it would actually be unusual for stars to appear. Other claims include △ the absence of a crater under the lunar lander △ astronauts’ movements being too natural and not able to jump △ letters appearing in photos of the lunar surface △ wires hanging from astronauts’ waists, among others.

There are also suspicions based on scientific knowledge. These include how astronauts passed through the Van Allen radiation belts between the Earth and the moon yet showed low radiation exposure, how they endured the lunar surface temperature (150 degrees Celsius), and why the U.S. suddenly stopped moon landings after the 1970s. Most of these are unfounded speculations. However, even on the 50th anniversary of the moon landing in 2019, Fox News in the U.S. aired special programs promoting conspiracy theories, showing that such theories remain popular worldwide.

Of course, NASA has dismissed these conspiracy theories. In particular, on February 14, 1977, NASA released an official statement fully refuting the moon landing hoax claims. The greatest evidence is the more than 2,000 lunar surface samples (about 382 kg) brought back by the astronauts, and the fact that the landing process was broadcast live through about 3,500 media outlets worldwide, making it impossible to fake.

NASA stated, "Regardless of the fact that millions of people watched Apollo 11’s moon landing on TV or radio, the materials brought back are irrefutable proof that the moon landing was not fake," and added, "Analysis of the rocks and other samples brought from the lunar surface confirmed that their chemical composition differs from Earth’s and that they were formed in an atmosphere lacking oxygen and water."

NASA also specifically refuted the "Arizona desert filming" claim, including the absence of a crater from the lander’s impact, stating, "Because the moon has a thin atmosphere and a hard surface, no crater was left upon landing." NASA emphasized, "A total of 12 astronauts, including those from Apollo 11, explored the lunar surface by rover or on foot."