In 2020, I had some free time to create some AR/VR apps for iPhones and iPads.

Below is a video showing Apollo 11’s approach to what would become Tranquility Base on the Moon.

The user (me) could switch between a view from the Eagle lander as well as several fixed locations around the Moon.

To demonstrate the AR and VR nature of the program to a person just watching a video on their computer, I simultaneously recorded from the iPad and a GoPro camera strapped to my head. I then combined the recordings in several split screen views.

As I turn around and look up and down, the view from the iPad changes too.

Enjoy the video. I expect amazingly immersive experiences like this will soon become widely available.

Note 1: I created the 3D model of the Moon from terrain data and images from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC). The audio is from NASA archives. The flight path is based on data from GoneToPlaid. I synced up the flightpath and audio.

Note 2: I have created additional 3D models of all Apollo landing sites and made them freely available (link).