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Period: to
Missions
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Apollo 1
Never launched. On 27 January 1967, a fire erupted in the Apollo command module during a test on the launch pad, destroying the module and killing astronauts Grissom, White, and Chaffee. -
Apollo 4
First flight of Saturn V rocket; successfully demonstrated S-IVB third stage restart and tested CM heat shield at lunar re-entry speeds -
Apollo 5
First flight of Lunar Module; successfully fired descent engine and ascent engine; demonstrated "fire-in-the-hole" landing abort test. -
Apollo 6
Second flight of Saturn V; severe "pogo" vibrations caused two second-stage engines to shut down prematurely, and third stage restart to fail. SM engine used to achieved high-speed re-entry, though less than Apollo 4. NASA identified vibration fixes and declared Saturn V man-rated. -
Apollo 7
A test flight of the Block II CSM in Earth orbit, Apollo 7 was the first manned Apollo flight and the first manned flight of the Saturn IB. It was the only manned Apollo launch not from LC 39. It included the first live TV broadcast from an American spacecraft. -
Apollo 8
Apollo 8 was the first manned circumlunar flight of the CSM (10 orbits in 20 hours) and the first manned flight of the Saturn V. The crew were the first humans to see the far side of the Moon and earthrise over the lunar horizon with their own eyes. Live television pictures were broadcast to Earth. -
Apollo 9
During 10 days in Earth orbit, Apollo 9 conducted the first manned flight test of the Lunar Module, demonstrating its propulsion and ability to rendezvous and dock with the CSM. -
Apollo 10
In this "dress rehearsal" for the lunar landing, Apollo 10's Lunar Module was flown manned around the Moon and descended to 8.4 nautical miles (15.6 km) without landing. -
Apollo 11
On July 20, 1969, the Apollo 11 Lunar Module performed the first manned landing on the Moon in the Sea of Tranquility, overcoming navigation errors and computer alarms. Astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin performed a single EVA in the direct vicinity of the LM. -
Apollo 12
Following two lightning strikes on the spacecraft during launch, with brief loss of fuel cells and telemetry, Apollo 12 performed the first precise manned landing on the Moon in the Ocean of Storms near the Surveyor 3 probe. In two EVAs, the astronauts recovered portions of Surveyor and returned them to Earth. First controlled LM ascent stage impact after jettison; first use of deployable S-band antenna; lunar TV camera damaged by accidental exposure to sun. -
Apollo 13
Intended to land at Fra Mauro, Apollo 13's mission was aborted after an SM oxygen tank exploded on the trip to the moon, causing the landing to be cancelled. After a single loop around the moon, the LM was used as crew "lifeboat" for safe return. First S-IVB stage impact on Moon as active seismic test. -
Apollo 14
After docking problems, a faulty LM abort switch and delayed landing radar acquisition, Apollo 14's LM landed successfully at Fra Mauro. First color video images from the surface of the Moon, first materials science experiments in space, and two EVAs, in one of which Shepard performed a golf shot. -
Apollo 15
Apollo 15, landing at Hadley-Apennine was the first "J series" mission with a 3-day lunar stay and extensive geology investigations. First use of the Lunar Roving Vehicle, driving 17.25 miles (27.8 km); 1 lunar "standup" EVA, 3 lunar surface EVAs, and deep space EVA on return to retrieve orbital camera film from SM. -
Apollo 16
After a malfunction in a backup CSM yaw gimbal servo loop delayed the landing and reduced CSM time in lunar orbit, Apollo 16's LM landed in the Descartes Highlands. No ascent stage deorbit due to malfunction; 3 lunar EVAs and deep space EVA. -
Apollo 17
The final Apollo lunar mission landed at Taurus-Littrow. Schmitt, a geologist, was the first professional scientist to go on a NASA mission. First night launch; 3 lunar EVAs and deep space EVA. As of 2013, the last manned spaceflight beyond low Earth orbit.
