Apollo-era American flags likely bleached to white after decades on the Moon

American flags placed on the Moon by Apollo astronauts more than 50 years ago appear to have lost their original colors, with multiple reports saying the fabric has likely bleached to a white or near-white state. The likely cause is long-term exposure to intense solar radiation and extreme temperature swings that prevail on the lunar surface. While the flags may now look like blank white cloth, the sources note that the flagpoles still stand in place in images, indicating the structures themselves have remained relatively resilient over time. One account also says the first U.S. flag deployed by Apollo 11 was knocked flat by the lunar module’s exhaust immediately at liftoff, meaning that particular banner remained upright for less than a day before settling. Overall, the reports describe the flags’ current appearance as a product of the Moon’s harsh, unfiltered environment rather than physical disappearance, emphasizing how long-term exposure has altered the materials.