APOLLO 8 ( AS-503 )
Apollo 8 insignia
Apollo 8 prime crew
Mission Status
| Launch date | 21. Dec. 1968 12:51:00 UTC(07:51:00 EST) |
|---|---|
| Mission Designation | AS-503 / SA-503 |
| Launch Pad | PAD 39A |
| Spacecraft | |
| CSM | CSM-103 |
| LM | LMTA(Lunar Module Test Article) |
| Launch vehcle | |
| Type | Saturn V |
| First Stage | S-IC-3 |
| Second Stage | S-II-3 |
| Third stage | S-IVB-503N |
| Instrument Unit(IU) | S-IU-503 |
| Prime crew | |
| Commander Pilot:CDP | Frank Borman |
| CM Pilot:CMP | James A. Lovell Jr. |
| LM Pilot:LMP | William A. Anders |
| Backup crew | |
| Commander Pilot:CDP | Neil A. Armstrong |
| CM Pilot:CMP | Edwin E. Aldrin Jr. |
| LM Pilot:LMP | Fred W. Haise, Jr. |
| Mission Objective | |
| Demonstrate crew/space vehicle/mission support facilities during manned Saturn V/CSM mission. Demonstrate translunar injection, CSM navigation, communications, and midcourse corrections. Assess CSM consumables and passive thermal control. Demonstrate CSM performance in cislunar and lunar orbit environment. Demonstrate communications and tracking at lunar distances. Return high-resolution photographs of proposed Apollo landing sites and locations of scientific interest. | |
| Mission Result | |
| This spacecraft was the first of the Apollo series to successfully orbit the moon, and the first manned spacecraft to leave Earth's gravity and reach the Moon. The mission achieved operational experience and tested the Apollo command module systems, including communications, tracking, and life-support, in cis-lunar space and lunar orbit, and allowed evaluation of crew performance on a lunar orbiting mission. The crew photographed the lunar surface, both farside and nearside, obtaining information on topography and landmarks as well as other scientific information necessary for future Apollo landings. Additionally, six live television transmission sessions were done by the crew during the mission, including the famous Christmas Eve broadcast in which the astronauts read from the book of Genesis. All systems operated within allowable parameters and all objectives of the mission were achieved. The flight carried a three man crew: Commander Frank Borman, Command Module Pilot James A. Lovell, Jr., and Lunar Module Pilot William A. Anders. | |
| Parameters | |
| Launch weight | 2,782,326(kg) |
| Lunar orbits | 10 |
| Duration | 147:00:42(6days 3hours) |
| Splashed down | 27.Dec.1968 05:51:42 UTC(10:51:42 EST) |
| Splashdown point | Pacific Ocean:8deg 7.5min N, 165deg 1.2min W:1,000 miles SSW of Hawaii |
| Recovery ship | U.S.S Yorktown |
| CSM-103 Apollo8 |
|---|
|
| BLOCK2. |
Mission Photos
Related books and videos
-
[DVD] Apollo 8 - Leaving the Cradle
Spacecraft Films / Twentieth Century Fox Home Video August 19, 2003 USD31.48
Own a piece of history! The most complete record ever available of this historic mission. This 3-disc set - over 4 hours in all - chronicles America's first manned lunar orbit from launch to splashdown with comprehensive footage from the film and videotape records of Apollo 8. Features the TV downlink including the famous Christmas Eve broadcast, all on-board 16mm films, close-up views of the moon from lunar orbit, multi-angle views of the launch and astronaut commentaries.
-
[BOOK] Apollo 8 : The NASA Mission Reports
Apogee Books August, 2000 USD12.89
Apollo 8: The NASA Mission Reports finally puts in one place six of the most important documents from this triumphant odyssey, The Press Kit, The Pre-mission Report & Objectives, The Supplemental Technical Report, The Post Flight Summary, the Post Flight Mission Operation Report and the Crew Debriefing. These six documents show the staggering proportions of the undertaking required to send men into lunar orbit. It is a testament to the ingenuity of the American people and the bold courage of three men. Includes: CD-ROM with Captain Lovell Interview, plus hundreds of pictures!