What was the name of the NASA mission that first successfully landed human beings on the Moon in July 1969?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your general knowledge of space exploration history, specifically the first manned Moon landing. The achievement of landing human beings on the lunar surface is one of the most famous milestones in science and technology and is often referenced in school curricula, documentaries and competitive exam questions.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The event took place in July 1969.
• The mission was organised by NASA, the United States space agency.
• The question asks for the mission name, not the names of the astronauts.
• The options list several missions from the Apollo and Gemini programmes.

Concept / Approach:
The key is to know that the Apollo programme was designed specifically for Moon missions, while Gemini was an earlier programme to test spaceflight techniques. The first successful crewed landing on the Moon was carried out by Apollo 11, with astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walking on the lunar surface and Michael Collins orbiting above. Remembering this pairing of Apollo 11 with the first Moon landing is fundamental in space related general knowledge.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Gemini missions did not land on the Moon; they focused on Earth orbit operations. Step 2: Remember that Apollo missions were numbered and that earlier missions such as Apollo 8 and Apollo 10 only orbited the Moon. Step 3: Apollo 11 is specifically famous for the first crewed lunar landing in July 1969. Step 4: Therefore, among the given options, Apollo 11 is the only correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this by checking any standard history of space exploration. Textbooks, encyclopaedias and reliable online sources consistently state that Apollo 11 was launched on 16 July 1969 and that Neil Armstrong stepped onto the Moon on 20 July 1969, delivering the famous statement about a small step for man and a giant leap for mankind.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Apollo 13 – Known for a serious in flight accident and the famous rescue, but it never landed on the Moon. Gemini 7 – Part of the Gemini programme that focused on long duration Earth orbit missions and rendezvous techniques, not lunar landings. Apollo 10 – A full dress rehearsal for landing that orbited the Moon and tested procedures, but did not land. Apollo 8 – The first crewed mission to orbit the Moon, but again there was no landing.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse Apollo 11 with Apollo 13 due to the popularity of the movie about the latter mission. Others mix up orbital missions like Apollo 8 or 10 with the landing mission. Another mistake is assuming any Gemini mission may have landed on the Moon, when in reality only the Apollo programme had lunar landings. Keeping a simple timeline of space missions helps avoid these errors.

Final Answer:
The first NASA mission to successfully land human beings on the Moon in July 1969 was Apollo 11.