Apollo 11

Apollo 11

Mission Insignia
File:AP11America.JPG
Mission Statistics
Mission Name:	Apollo 11
Call Sign:	Command module: Columbia Lunar module: Eagle
Crew:	3
Launch:	July 16, 1969 13:32 UTC Kennedy Space Center LC 39A
Lunar Landing:	July 20, 1969 20:17:40 UTC 1.1 N, 23.8 E Mare Tranquillitatis (Sea of Tranquility)
Lunar EVA length:	2.5 hours
Lunar Surface Time:	21.6 hours
Landing:	July 24, 1969 16:50:35 UTC 13 deg 19 min N, 169 deg 9 min W
Duration:	8 days, 3 hours 16.58 minutes

The Apollo 11 mission was the first manned lunar landing. It was the fifth manned mission in the Apollo program.

That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind. &#8213Neil Armstrong

Armstrong became the first man to walk on the Moon, followed by Aldrin. Collins remained in orbit above the Moon.

Mission notes

• On July 20, while on the far side of the moon, the lunar module, called "Eagle," separated from the "Columbia". Collins remained aboard Columbia while Eagle, carrying Armstrong and Aldrin, descended to the surface.
• After a careful visual inspection, Eagle fired its engine and began its descent. During the descent to the lunar surface, the astronauts noticed that the intended landing site was rockier than surveillance photographs had indicated. Armstrong took manual control of the lunar module at that point, and guided it to a landing on a smoother patch of ground, later known as Tranquility Base.
• On July 20 at 10:56 PM EDT, six and a half hours after landing, Armstrong made his descent to the moon surface and made the famous statement: "That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind." (Though he apparently dropped the "a", changing the meaning of the statement--some historians have been charitable and called this a radio communication failure rather than a simple mistake by Armstrong).
• After 21 hours and 36 minutes, Eagle fired its ascent engines and rendezvoused with the Columbia for the return flight. 22 kg of lunar samples were collected. The astronauts returned to earth on July 24, welcomed as heroes.

Mission Parameters (needs update)

• Mass:
  • Launch mass: 2,923,387 kg
  • Total spacecraft: 46,678 kg
    • CSM mass: 30,320 kg, of which CM was 5960 kg, SM 24,360 kg
    • LM mass: 16,448 kg , of which ascent stage was 4985 kg, descent stage 11,463 kg
• Earth orbits: before leaving for Moon, about one on return
• Lunar orbits:

Crew

• Neil Armstrong, commander
• Michael Collins, command module pilot
• Buzz Aldrin, lunar module pilot

Astronaut Edwin E. Aldrin near a leg of the Lunar Module, PD NASA photo
Astronaut Edwin E. Aldrin during a walk near a leg of the Lunar Module.
July 20, 1969 (NASA)

Apollo 11 at Liftoff (NASA photo)
Apollo 11 at Liftoff (NASA photo)

The command module is displayed at the National Air and Space Museum, Washington, D.C. The lunar module was jettisoned on 21 July, 1969. Impact site of the lunar module on the Moon is unknown.

Aldrin stands next to the PSEP and LEM on the moon
Aldrin stands next to the PSEP, with Lunar Module in background (NASA)

For an alternative view, see: Apollo moon landing hoax accusations

External Links

• NASA: Apollo Lunar Surface Journal
• Apollo 11 entry in Encyclopedia Astronautica
• Map of activities on Lunar surface for Apollo 11

Preceded by : Apollo 10

Apollo program

Followed by : Apollo 12