The Economic Times

In 1971, Apollo 15 secretly left a tiny aluminum astronaut on the moon; beside it was a plaque naming 14 dead American and Soviet space travelers

In 1971, a hidden aluminum tribute was installed on the Moon, commemorating the bravery of fourteen astronauts and cosmonauts who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. Crafted by Belgian artist Paul Van Hoeydonck for the Apollo 15 mission, this poignant memorial serves as a reminder of the shared human commitment to transcend earthly barriers, honoring heroes from both American and Soviet space endeavors.