Saturn Apollo Program

The Apollo 11 mission launched from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida via the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) developed Saturn V launch vehicle on July 16, 1969 and safely returned to Earth on July 24, 1969. Aboard the space craft were astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, commander; Michael Collins, Command Module (CM) pilot; and Edwin E. (Buzz) Aldrin Jr., Lunar Module (LM) pilot. With the success of Apollo 11, the national objective to land men on the Moon and return them safely to Earth had been accomplished. These sketches illustrate the steps taken in going from lunar orbit onto the Moon’s surface. Apollo 11 commander, Neil Armstrong and LM pilot Edwin Aldrin transferred from the CM to the LM and the LM separated. Firing the descent stage engine in retrothrust slowed the LM and put it on the let down trajectory. Near the Lunar surface, the engine was used to lower the craft slowly to the surface. After a checkout of systems and depressurization of the LM cabin, the hatch was opened for Armstrong’s climb down the ladder to the Moon’s soil.