THEN HOW WAS THE AMERICAN FLAG PLANTED ON THE SURFACE OF THE MOON

The American flag was planted on the surface of the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission on July 20, 1969. Here’s how it was done:

Flag Design and Construction:

The flag was specially designed for the lunar environment. It was made of nylon and had a horizontal crossbar to keep it extended in the airless and low-gravity conditions of the Moon.
The crossbar was a telescoping aluminum rod that could be extended to support the flag.
Planting Process:

Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were responsible for planting the flag. After they had landed on the Moon and completed their initial tasks, they selected a suitable location near their lunar module, Eagle.
Armstrong and Aldrin worked together to assemble the flag. They extended the telescoping rod and drove the lower pole into the lunar surface. Due to the Moon's lack of atmosphere, the flag appeared to flutter, although it was actually stationary.
Challenges:

The astronauts encountered difficulties in planting the flagpole into the Moon’s hard surface. They managed to drive it only a few inches deep, and there was a risk that it could topple over.
The appearance of fluttering was due to the horizontal support rod not fully extending, which left the flag slightly wrinkled and giving the impression of movement.
Historical Significance:

The planting of the American flag symbolized human achievement and the success of the Apollo program. It marked the United States’ accomplishment in the space race and was a moment of national pride.
Subsequent Missions:

American flags were planted during other Apollo missions as well. In total, six American flags were planted on the Moon during the Apollo missions 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17.
References
NASA: Apollo 11 Mission Overview
Smithsonian Air and Space Museum: Planting the Flag
These sources provide detailed accounts of the flag-planting process and its significance during the Apollo missions.