Earthrise from lunar orbit during Apollo 15, August 1971. Crescent Earth seen from lunar orbit from the Apollo 15 Command Module. The Apollo 15 mission to the Moon took place from 26 July to 7 August 1971, and was the fourth manned mission to land on the Moon. NASA astronauts David Scott (commander) and James Irwin (Lunar Module pilot) descended to the lunar surface, with Alfred Worden remaining in lunar orbit in the Command Module. By the time of this photograph, Scott and Irwin had returned to the Command Module and the crew were preparing to leave lunar orbit and return home to the distant Earth seen here. The successful return concluded with splashdown in the Pacific on 7 August three days later. Photographed during revolution 70 around the Moon, on 4 August 1971.