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List of Apollo missions

Updated: Wikipedia source

List of Apollo missions

The Apollo program was a United States human spaceflight program carried out from 1961 to 1972 by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), which landed the first astronauts on the Moon. The program used the Saturn IB and Saturn V launch vehicles to lift the Command/Service Module (CSM) and Lunar Module (LM) spacecraft into space, and the Little Joe II rocket to test a launch escape system which was expected to carry the astronauts to safety in the event of a Saturn failure. Uncrewed test flights beginning in 1966 demonstrated the safety of the launch vehicles and spacecraft to carry astronauts, and four crewed flights beginning in October 1968 demonstrated the ability of the spacecraft to carry out a lunar landing mission. Apollo achieved the first crewed lunar landing on the Apollo 11 mission, when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed their LM Eagle in the Sea of Tranquility and walked on the lunar surface, while Michael Collins remained in lunar orbit in the CSM Columbia, and all three landed safely on Earth on July 24, 1969. Five subsequent missions landed astronauts on various lunar sites, ending in December 1972 with 12 men having walked on the Moon and 842 pounds (382 kg) of lunar rocks and soil samples returned to Earth, greatly contributing to the understanding of the Moon's composition and geological history. Two Apollo missions were failures: a 1967 cabin fire killed the entire Apollo 1 crew during a ground test in preparation for what was to be the first crewed flight; and the third landing attempt on Apollo 13 was aborted by an oxygen tank explosion en route to the Moon, which disabled the CSM Odyssey's electrical power and life support systems, and made the propulsion system unsafe to use. The crew circled the Moon and were returned safely to Earth using the LM Aquarius as a "lifeboat" for these functions.

Tables

Saturn I missions · Uncrewed test flights › Saturn I
SA-1
SA-1
Mission
SA-1
LV
SA-1
Launch
October 27, 1961, 15:06
Pad
LC-34
Remarks
Test of Saturn I first stage S-I; dummy upper stages carried water
SA-2
SA-2
Mission
SA-2
LV
SA-2
Launch
April 25, 1962, 14:00
Pad
LC-34
Remarks
Dummy upper stages released 22,900 U . gallons (86,685 L) of water into upper atmosphere, to investigate effects on radio transmission and changes in local weather conditions
SA-3
SA-3
Mission
SA-3
LV
SA-3
Launch
November 16, 1962, 17:45
Pad
LC-34
Remarks
Repeat of SA-2 mission
SA-4
SA-4
Mission
SA-4
LV
SA-4
Launch
March 28, 1963, 20:11
Pad
LC-34
Remarks
Test premature shutdown of a single S-I engine
SA-5
SA-5
Mission
SA-5
LV
SA-5
Launch
January 29, 1964, 16:25
Pad
LC-37B
Remarks
First flight of live second stage. First orbital flight.
AS-101
AS-101
Mission
AS-101
LV
SA-6
Launch
May 28, 1964, 17:07
Pad
LC-37B
Remarks
Tested first boilerplate Apollo command and service module (CSM) for structural integrity
AS-102
AS-102
Mission
AS-102
LV
SA-7
Launch
September 18, 1964, 17:22
Pad
LC-37B
Remarks
Carried first programmable-in-flight computer on the Saturn I vehicle; last launch vehicle development flight
AS-103
AS-103
Mission
AS-103
LV
SA-9
Launch
February 16, 1965, 14:37
Pad
LC-37B
Remarks
Carried Pegasus A satellite and boilerplate CSM
AS-104
AS-104
Mission
AS-104
LV
SA-8
Launch
May 25, 1965, 07:35
Pad
LC-37B
Remarks
Carried Pegasus B satellite and boilerplate CSM
AS-105
AS-105
Mission
AS-105
LV
SA-10
Launch
July 30, 1965, 13:00
Pad
LC-37B
Remarks
Carried Pegasus C satellite and boilerplate CSM
Mission
LV
Launch
Pad
Remarks
Refs
SA-1
SA-1
October 27, 1961, 15:06
LC-34
Test of Saturn I first stage S-I; dummy upper stages carried water
SA-2
SA-2
April 25, 1962, 14:00
LC-34
Dummy upper stages released 22,900 U . gallons (86,685 L) of water into upper atmosphere, to investigate effects on radio transmission and changes in local weather conditions
SA-3
SA-3
November 16, 1962, 17:45
LC-34
Repeat of SA-2 mission
SA-4
SA-4
March 28, 1963, 20:11
LC-34
Test premature shutdown of a single S-I engine
SA-5
SA-5
January 29, 1964, 16:25
LC-37B
First flight of live second stage. First orbital flight.
AS-101
SA-6
May 28, 1964, 17:07
LC-37B
Tested first boilerplate Apollo command and service module (CSM) for structural integrity
AS-102
SA-7
September 18, 1964, 17:22
LC-37B
Carried first programmable-in-flight computer on the Saturn I vehicle; last launch vehicle development flight
AS-103
SA-9
February 16, 1965, 14:37
LC-37B
Carried Pegasus A satellite and boilerplate CSM
AS-104
SA-8
May 25, 1965, 07:35
LC-37B
Carried Pegasus B satellite and boilerplate CSM
AS-105
SA-10
July 30, 1965, 13:00
LC-37B
Carried Pegasus C satellite and boilerplate CSM
Saturn IB missions · Uncrewed test flights › Saturn IB
AS-201
AS-201
Mission
AS-201
LV
SA-201
Launch
February 26, 1966, 16:12
Pad
LC-34
Remarks
First test of Saturn IB and Block I Apollo CSM. Suborbital flight landed the CM in the Atlantic Ocean, demonstrating the heat shield. Propellant pressure loss caused premature SM engine shutdown.
AS-203
AS-203
Mission
AS-203
LV
SA-203
Launch
July 5, 1966, 14:53
Pad
LC-37B
Remarks
No Apollo spacecraft; instrumentation and video observed on-orbit behavior of S-IVB liquid hydrogen fuel in support of restart capability design for Saturn V. Deemed a success, despite inadvertent destruction of S-IVB during final overpressure tank rupture test.
AS-202
AS-202
Mission
AS-202
LV
SA-202
Launch
August 25, 1966, 17:15
Pad
LC-34
Remarks
Suborbital flight to Pacific Ocean splashdown. CM heat shield tested to higher speed; successful SM firings.
Apollo 5
Apollo 5
Mission
Apollo 5
LV
SA-204
Launch
January 22, 1968, 22:48
Pad
LC-37B
Remarks
First flight of LM successfully fired descent engine and ascent engines; demonstrated "fire-in-the-hole" landing abort test.
Mission
LV
Launch
Pad
Remarks
Refs
AS-201
SA-201
February 26, 1966, 16:12
LC-34
First test of Saturn IB and Block I Apollo CSM. Suborbital flight landed the CM in the Atlantic Ocean, demonstrating the heat shield. Propellant pressure loss caused premature SM engine shutdown.
AS-203
SA-203
July 5, 1966, 14:53
LC-37B
No Apollo spacecraft; instrumentation and video observed on-orbit behavior of S-IVB liquid hydrogen fuel in support of restart capability design for Saturn V. Deemed a success, despite inadvertent destruction of S-IVB during final overpressure tank rupture test.
AS-202
SA-202
August 25, 1966, 17:15
LC-34
Suborbital flight to Pacific Ocean splashdown. CM heat shield tested to higher speed; successful SM firings.
Apollo 5
SA-204
January 22, 1968, 22:48
LC-37B
First flight of LM successfully fired descent engine and ascent engines; demonstrated "fire-in-the-hole" landing abort test.
Launch escape system tests · Uncrewed test flights › Launch escape system tests
QTV
QTV
Mission
QTV
LV
Little Joe II
Launch
August 28, 1963, 13:05
Pad
LC-36
Remarks
Little Joe II qualification test
Pad Abort Test 1
Pad Abort Test 1
Mission
Pad Abort Test 1
LV
—N/a
Launch
November 7, 1963, 16:00
Pad
LC-36
Remarks
Launch escape system (LES) abort test from launch pad
A-001
A-001
Mission
A-001
LV
Little Joe II
Launch
May 13, 1964, 13:00
Pad
LC-36
Remarks
LES transonic test, success except for parachute failure
A-002
A-002
Mission
A-002
LV
Little Joe II
Launch
December 8, 1964, 15:00
Pad
LC-36
Remarks
LES maximum altitude, Max-Q abort test
A-003
A-003
Mission
A-003
LV
Little Joe II
Launch
May 19, 1965, 13:01
Pad
LC-36
Remarks
LES canard maximum altitude abort test
Pad Abort Test 2
Pad Abort Test 2
Mission
Pad Abort Test 2
LV
—N/a
Launch
June 29, 1965, 13:00
Pad
LC-36
Remarks
LES pad abort test of near Block-I CM
A-004
A-004
Mission
A-004
LV
Little Joe II
Launch
January 20, 1966, 15:17
Pad
LC-36
Remarks
LES test of maximum weight, tumbling Block-I CM
Mission
LV
Launch
Pad
Remarks
Refs
QTV
Little Joe II
August 28, 1963, 13:05
LC-36
Little Joe II qualification test
Pad Abort Test 1
—N/a
November 7, 1963, 16:00
LC-36
Launch escape system (LES) abort test from launch pad
A-001
Little Joe II
May 13, 1964, 13:00
LC-36
LES transonic test, success except for parachute failure
A-002
Little Joe II
December 8, 1964, 15:00
LC-36
LES maximum altitude, Max-Q abort test
A-003
Little Joe II
May 19, 1965, 13:01
LC-36
LES canard maximum altitude abort test
Pad Abort Test 2
—N/a
June 29, 1965, 13:00
LC-36
LES pad abort test of near Block-I CM
A-004
Little Joe II
January 20, 1966, 15:17
LC-36
LES test of maximum weight, tumbling Block-I CM
Saturn V missions · Uncrewed test flights › Saturn V
Apollo 4
Apollo 4
Mission
Apollo 4
LV
SA-501
Launch
November 9, 1967, 12:00
Pad
LC-39A
Remarks
First flight of Saturn V rocket; successfully demonstrated S-IVB third stage restart and tested CM heat shield at lunar re-entry speeds.
Apollo 6
Apollo 6
Mission
Apollo 6
LV
SA-502
Launch
April 4, 1968, 16:12
Pad
LC-39A
Remarks
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 achieve high-speed re-entry, though less than Apollo 4. NASA identified vibration fixes and declared Saturn V man-rated.
Mission
LV
Launch
Pad
Remarks
Refs
Apollo 4
SA-501
November 9, 1967, 12:00
LC-39A
First flight of Saturn V rocket; successfully demonstrated S-IVB third stage restart and tested CM heat shield at lunar re-entry speeds.
Apollo 6
SA-502
April 4, 1968, 16:12
LC-39A
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 achieve high-speed re-entry, though less than Apollo 4. NASA identified vibration fixes and declared Saturn V man-rated.
Alphabetical mission types of the Apollo Program · Alphabetical mission types
A
A
Type
A
Mission
Apollo 4 Apollo 6
Description
Uncrewed flights of launch vehicles and the CSM, to demonstrate its design and to certify its safety for humans.
B
B
Type
B
Mission
Apollo 5
Description
Uncrewed flight of the LM to demonstrate its design and to certify its safety for humans.
C
C
Type
C
Mission
Apollo 7
Description
Crewed flight demonstration of CSM in low Earth orbit.
C′
C′
Type
C′
Mission
Apollo 8
Description
Crewed flight demonstration of CSM in lunar orbit.
D
D
Type
D
Mission
Apollo 9
Description
Crewed flight demonstration of CSM and LM in low Earth orbit, operating the equipment together in space and (insofar as possible in Earth orbit) performing the maneuvers involved in a lunar landing.
E
E
Type
E
Mission
—N/a
Description
Crewed flight demonstration of CSM and LM in medium Earth orbit, performing the maneuvers involved in a lunar landing.
F
F
Type
F
Mission
Apollo 10
Description
Crewed flight demonstration of CSM and LM in lunar orbit, performing all G-type mission goals except for the final descent to and landing on the lunar surface.
G
G
Type
G
Mission
Apollo 11
Description
Crewed lunar landing demonstration.
H
H
Type
H
Mission
Apollo 12 Apollo 13 (planned) Apollo 14
Description
Precision crewed lunar landing demonstration and systematic lunar exploration.
I
I
Type
I
Mission
—N/a
Description
Extended scientific investigation of the Moon from lunar orbit. (Not used, incorporated into J type)
J
J
Type
J
Mission
Apollo 15 Apollo 16 Apollo 17
Description
Extended scientific investigation of the Moon on the lunar surface and from lunar orbit.
Type
Mission
Description
A
Apollo 4 Apollo 6
Uncrewed flights of launch vehicles and the CSM, to demonstrate its design and to certify its safety for humans.
B
Apollo 5
Uncrewed flight of the LM to demonstrate its design and to certify its safety for humans.
C
Apollo 7
Crewed flight demonstration of CSM in low Earth orbit.
C′
Apollo 8
Crewed flight demonstration of CSM in lunar orbit.
D
Apollo 9
Crewed flight demonstration of CSM and LM in low Earth orbit, operating the equipment together in space and (insofar as possible in Earth orbit) performing the maneuvers involved in a lunar landing.
E
—N/a
Crewed flight demonstration of CSM and LM in medium Earth orbit, performing the maneuvers involved in a lunar landing.
F
Apollo 10
Crewed flight demonstration of CSM and LM in lunar orbit, performing all G-type mission goals except for the final descent to and landing on the lunar surface.
G
Apollo 11
Crewed lunar landing demonstration.
H
Apollo 12 Apollo 13 (planned) Apollo 14
Precision crewed lunar landing demonstration and systematic lunar exploration.
I
—N/a
Extended scientific investigation of the Moon from lunar orbit. (Not used, incorporated into J type)
J
Apollo 15 Apollo 16 Apollo 17
Extended scientific investigation of the Moon on the lunar surface and from lunar orbit.

References

  1. Although the A-type designation was used in official documents to refer only to Apollo 4 and Apollo 6, specifically thei
  2. Serial number displayed in parentheses
  3. If Apollo 11 was unable to land on the Moon, Apollo 12 would have been the US's next attempt. With the successful landin
  4. Apollo Program Summary Report
    https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/APSR-JSC-09423-OCR.pdf
  5. "Little Joe II"
    https://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/rocketpark/little_joe_ii.html
  6. "Apollo 11 (AS-506)"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20210209050759/https://airandspace.si.edu/explore-and-learn/topics/apollo/apollo-program/landing-missions/apollo11.cfm
  7. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/science/2012/dec/16/apollo-legacy-moon-space-riley
  8. "Lunar Rocks and Soils from Apollo Missions"
    https://curator.jsc.nasa.gov/lunar/
  9. Popular Science
    http://www.popsci.com/blog-network/vintage-space/what-happened-apollos-2-and-3
  10. Apollo 13 Mission Report
    https://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/a13/A13_MissionReport.pdf
  11. Hallion & Crouch, pp. 153–159
  12. Apollo 17 Mission Report
    https://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/a17/A17_MissionReport.pdf
  13. Apollo Expeditions to the Moon
    https://history.nasa.gov/SP-350/ch-3-4.html
  14. Chariots for Apollo: A History of crewed Lunar Spacecraft
    https://web.archive.org/web/20211007080924/https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/SP-4205/ch9-5.html
  15. Apollo: The Race to the Moon
  16. Apollo Expeditions to the Moon
  17. Apollo Expeditions to the Moon
  18. The Apollo Spacecraft – A Chronology. Volume IV
    https://web.archive.org/web/20080205020128/http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/SP-4009/contents.htm#Volume%20IV
  19. Apollo: The Lost and Forgotten Missions
  20. "Walking in the Void: 45 Years Since the Last Deep-Space EVA"
    https://www.americaspace.com/2017/12/17/walking-in-the-void-45-years-since-the-last-deep-space-eva/
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