{"id":649143,"date":"2024-04-18T12:36:56","date_gmt":"2024-04-18T16:36:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?p=649143"},"modified":"2024-04-18T12:36:59","modified_gmt":"2024-04-18T16:36:59","slug":"55-years-ago-three-months-until-the-moon-landing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-three-months-until-the-moon-landing\/","title":{"rendered":"55 Years Ago: Three Months Until the Moon Landing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The rapid pace of preparations for the first Moon landing continued in April 1969. The successful <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-four-months-until-the-moon-landing\/\">Apollo 9<\/a> mission in March cleared the way for Apollo 10 to test all three components of the spacecraft in lunar orbit in May, in a dress rehearsal for the landing itself. Apollo 10 astronauts <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-thomas-stafford\/\">Thomas P. Stafford<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-john-w-young\/\">John W. Young<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-eugene-a-cernan\/\">Eugene A. Cernan<\/a> and their backups <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-l-gordon-cooper\/\">L. Gordon Cooper<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/eisele_donn.pdf?emrc=4e176f\">Donn F. Eisele<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/mitchell_edgar.pdf?emrc=2c3b40\">Edgar D. Mitchell<\/a> continued training in spacecraft simulators while engineers prepared their Saturn V rocket and Apollo spacecraft for the mid-May launch. Preparations continued in parallel for Apollo 11, the mission to attempt the first Moon landing. The astronauts trained for the flight, including rehearsing the activities for their historic spacewalk on the lunar surface. Fulfilling President John F. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/60-years-ago-president-kennedy-proposes-moon-landing-goal-in-speech-to-congress\/\">Kennedy\u2019s goal<\/a> by the appointed deadline looked promising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Apollo 10<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-649146\" height=\"389\" width=\"624\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-1-apollo-10-flight-plan-s69-34071.jpg\" alt=\"The Apollo 10 flight plan\"><br><em>The Apollo 10 flight plan<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Apollo 10 would serve as a dress rehearsal for the Moon landing mission. After liftoff from Launch Pad 39B \u2013 the first use of that facility \u2013 the spacecraft, still attached to the Saturn V\u2019s S-IVB third stage, would make two revolutions around the Earth. The S-IVB would reignite for the Trans-Lunar Injection to begin the journey toward the Moon. Shortly after, the astronauts would undock the Command and Service Module (CSM) from the S-IVB, turn around, and dock with the Lunar Module (LM), tucked away in the top of the rocket stage, in a maneuver called transposition and docking. After jettisoning the S-IVB, the docked spacecraft would coast toward the Moon for about three days. The Service Propulsion System (SPS) engine would fire to drop them into orbit around the Moon. Stafford and Cernan would enter the LM and undock, leaving Young alone in the CSM. Using the LM\u2019s Descent Propulsion System engine to lower their altitude, Stafford and Cernan would descend to about 50,000 feet above the lunar surface, and photograph the primary Apollo 11 landing site in the Sea of Tranquility. The LM would travel up to 350 miles away from the CSM during these maneuvers. The Ascent Propulsion System engine would then fire as they jettisoned the descent stage, in a simulation of a litfoff from the Moon. Stafford and Cernan would then rejoin Young in the CSM. After jettisoning the LM\u2019s ascent stage and completing 11 more orbits around the Moon, Apollo 10 would fire its SPS engine for the retrun trip to Earth, ending with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Except for the actual descent to and touchdown on the surface, Apollo 10 would follow all the steps of the actual Moon landing mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-649147\" height=\"230\" width=\"350\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-2-apollo-10-preflight-crew-press-conference-ksc-apr-8-1969-s69-32390.jpg\" alt=\"Apollo 10 astronauts Thomas P. Stafford, left, John W. Young, and Eugene A. Cernan during a press conference at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-2-apollo-10-preflight-crew-press-conference-ksc-apr-8-1969-s69-32390.jpg 4674w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-2-apollo-10-preflight-crew-press-conference-ksc-apr-8-1969-s69-32390.jpg?resize=300,197 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-2-apollo-10-preflight-crew-press-conference-ksc-apr-8-1969-s69-32390.jpg?resize=768,505 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-2-apollo-10-preflight-crew-press-conference-ksc-apr-8-1969-s69-32390.jpg?resize=1024,673 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-2-apollo-10-preflight-crew-press-conference-ksc-apr-8-1969-s69-32390.jpg?resize=1536,1009 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-2-apollo-10-preflight-crew-press-conference-ksc-apr-8-1969-s69-32390.jpg?resize=2048,1346 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-2-apollo-10-preflight-crew-press-conference-ksc-apr-8-1969-s69-32390.jpg?resize=400,263 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-2-apollo-10-preflight-crew-press-conference-ksc-apr-8-1969-s69-32390.jpg?resize=600,394 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-2-apollo-10-preflight-crew-press-conference-ksc-apr-8-1969-s69-32390.jpg?resize=900,591 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-2-apollo-10-preflight-crew-press-conference-ksc-apr-8-1969-s69-32390.jpg?resize=1200,788 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-2-apollo-10-preflight-crew-press-conference-ksc-apr-8-1969-s69-32390.jpg?resize=2000,1314 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-649148\" height=\"230\" width=\"319\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-3-apollo-10-preflight-crew-press-conference-msc-apr-26-1969-s69-32497.jpg\" alt=\"Stafford, left, Young, and Cernan hold their mission patch following a press conference at the Manned Spacecraft Center, now NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center in Houston\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-3-apollo-10-preflight-crew-press-conference-msc-apr-26-1969-s69-32497.jpg 4972w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-3-apollo-10-preflight-crew-press-conference-msc-apr-26-1969-s69-32497.jpg?resize=300,217 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-3-apollo-10-preflight-crew-press-conference-msc-apr-26-1969-s69-32497.jpg?resize=768,556 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-3-apollo-10-preflight-crew-press-conference-msc-apr-26-1969-s69-32497.jpg?resize=1024,741 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-3-apollo-10-preflight-crew-press-conference-msc-apr-26-1969-s69-32497.jpg?resize=1536,1112 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-3-apollo-10-preflight-crew-press-conference-msc-apr-26-1969-s69-32497.jpg?resize=2048,1482 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-3-apollo-10-preflight-crew-press-conference-msc-apr-26-1969-s69-32497.jpg?resize=400,290 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-3-apollo-10-preflight-crew-press-conference-msc-apr-26-1969-s69-32497.jpg?resize=600,434 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-3-apollo-10-preflight-crew-press-conference-msc-apr-26-1969-s69-32497.jpg?resize=900,651 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-3-apollo-10-preflight-crew-press-conference-msc-apr-26-1969-s69-32497.jpg?resize=1200,869 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-3-apollo-10-preflight-crew-press-conference-msc-apr-26-1969-s69-32497.jpg?resize=2000,1448 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 319px) 100vw, 319px\" \/><br><em>Left: Apollo 10 astronauts Thomas P. Stafford, left, John W. Young, and Eugene A. Cernan during a press conference at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Right: Stafford, left, Young, and Cernan hold their mission patch following a press conference at the Manned Spacecraft Center, now NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center in Houston.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During two press conferences, at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida on April 8 and at the Manned Spacecraft Center (MSC), now NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center in Houston, on April 26, Stafford, Young, and Cernan discussed their eight-day mission with reporters. The trio described their upcoming flight as essentially a dress rehearsal for the Moon landing, with Stafford stating that Apollo 10 will \u201csort out all the unknowns and actually pave the whole way for the lunar landing mission.\u201d They displayed their mission patch and revealed the call signs for their spacecraft \u2013 Charlie Brown for the CSM and Snoopy for the LM, after characters in the Peanuts\u00a9 comic strip by Charles M. Schulz. According to Apollo Spacecraft Program Manager <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-management-changes-at-nasa\/\">George M. Low<\/a>, Apollo 10 would do \u201ceverything that we did on Apollo 9, only in lunar orbit.\u201d Officials also announced that the Apollo 10 CM may carry a color TV system in addition to the standard black and white cameras. The color camera, equipped with a zoom lens, would provide live TV broadcasts from the spacecraft during critical mission operations and provide viewers at home with a glimpse of life aboard an Apollo spacecraft during a lunar mission. They also expected views of the Earth as well as the lunar landscape. During their low pass over the Moon, Stafford and Cernan would take high resolution stereo photographs of the Apollo 11 landing site. They would also activate the LM\u2019s landing radar during the low passes, a critical test before the Moon landing. Regarding the complexity of the mission, Cernan added \u201cI\u2019ve never been involved in anything that has required as great an amount of coordination and team work as \u2026 to work with two vehicles in a lunar environment.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-649152\" height=\"221\" width=\"367\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-4-apollo-10-stafford-cernan-in-ksc-lm-sim-apr-3-1969-s69-32615.jpg\" alt=\"Apollo 10 astronauts Eugene A. Cernan, left, and Thomas P. Stafford in the Lunar Module simulator\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-4-apollo-10-stafford-cernan-in-ksc-lm-sim-apr-3-1969-s69-32615.jpg 4506w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-4-apollo-10-stafford-cernan-in-ksc-lm-sim-apr-3-1969-s69-32615.jpg?resize=300,180 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-4-apollo-10-stafford-cernan-in-ksc-lm-sim-apr-3-1969-s69-32615.jpg?resize=768,462 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-4-apollo-10-stafford-cernan-in-ksc-lm-sim-apr-3-1969-s69-32615.jpg?resize=1024,616 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-4-apollo-10-stafford-cernan-in-ksc-lm-sim-apr-3-1969-s69-32615.jpg?resize=1536,924 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-4-apollo-10-stafford-cernan-in-ksc-lm-sim-apr-3-1969-s69-32615.jpg?resize=2048,1232 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-4-apollo-10-stafford-cernan-in-ksc-lm-sim-apr-3-1969-s69-32615.jpg?resize=400,241 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-4-apollo-10-stafford-cernan-in-ksc-lm-sim-apr-3-1969-s69-32615.jpg?resize=600,361 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-4-apollo-10-stafford-cernan-in-ksc-lm-sim-apr-3-1969-s69-32615.jpg?resize=900,541 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-4-apollo-10-stafford-cernan-in-ksc-lm-sim-apr-3-1969-s69-32615.jpg?resize=1200,722 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-4-apollo-10-stafford-cernan-in-ksc-lm-sim-apr-3-1969-s69-32615.jpg?resize=2000,1203 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 367px) 100vw, 367px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-649153\" height=\"221\" width=\"294\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-5-apollo-10-young-in-ksc-cm-sim-apr-3-1969-s69-32788.jpg\" alt=\"Apollo 10 astronaut John W. Young in the Command Module simulator\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-5-apollo-10-young-in-ksc-cm-sim-apr-3-1969-s69-32788.jpg 3844w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-5-apollo-10-young-in-ksc-cm-sim-apr-3-1969-s69-32788.jpg?resize=300,225 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-5-apollo-10-young-in-ksc-cm-sim-apr-3-1969-s69-32788.jpg?resize=768,577 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-5-apollo-10-young-in-ksc-cm-sim-apr-3-1969-s69-32788.jpg?resize=1024,769 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-5-apollo-10-young-in-ksc-cm-sim-apr-3-1969-s69-32788.jpg?resize=1536,1154 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-5-apollo-10-young-in-ksc-cm-sim-apr-3-1969-s69-32788.jpg?resize=2048,1538 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-5-apollo-10-young-in-ksc-cm-sim-apr-3-1969-s69-32788.jpg?resize=400,300 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-5-apollo-10-young-in-ksc-cm-sim-apr-3-1969-s69-32788.jpg?resize=600,451 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-5-apollo-10-young-in-ksc-cm-sim-apr-3-1969-s69-32788.jpg?resize=900,676 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-5-apollo-10-young-in-ksc-cm-sim-apr-3-1969-s69-32788.jpg?resize=1200,901 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-5-apollo-10-young-in-ksc-cm-sim-apr-3-1969-s69-32788.jpg?resize=2000,1502 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 294px) 100vw, 294px\" \/><br><em>Left: Apollo 10 astronauts Eugene A. Cernan, left, and Thomas P. Stafford in the Lunar Module simulator. Right: Apollo 10 astronaut John W. Young in the Command Module simulator.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When not speaking with the press, Stafford, Cernan, and Young, as well as their backups, spent time almost daily in the LM and CSM simulators at MSC and KSC rehearsing various aspects of their upcoming mission. During many of these simulations, Mission Control in Houston was tied in for flight controllers to gain experience. The astronauts also spent time reviewing procedures, updating checklists, and receiving briefings on spacecraft systems and lunar topography.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-649154\" height=\"221\" width=\"179\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-6-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30272.jpg\" alt=\"Apollo 10 astronauts John W. Young, left, Thomas P. Stafford, and Eugene A. Cernan during an inspection visit at Launch Pad 39B\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-6-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30272.jpg 4514w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-6-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30272.jpg?resize=243,300 243w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-6-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30272.jpg?resize=768,949 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-6-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30272.jpg?resize=828,1024 828w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-6-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30272.jpg?resize=1243,1536 1243w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-6-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30272.jpg?resize=1657,2048 1657w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-6-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30272.jpg?resize=324,400 324w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-6-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30272.jpg?resize=485,600 485w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-6-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30272.jpg?resize=728,900 728w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-6-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30272.jpg?resize=971,1200 971w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-6-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30272.jpg?resize=1618,2000 1618w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 179px) 100vw, 179px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-649155\" height=\"221\" width=\"149\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-7-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30269.jpg\" alt=\"Young, front, Stafford, and Cernan inspect the slide wire escape mechanism at the top of Launch Pad 39B\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-7-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30269.jpg 3852w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-7-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30269.jpg?resize=202,300 202w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-7-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30269.jpg?resize=768,1139 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-7-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30269.jpg?resize=690,1024 690w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-7-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30269.jpg?resize=1035,1536 1035w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-7-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30269.jpg?resize=1380,2048 1380w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-7-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30269.jpg?resize=270,400 270w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-7-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30269.jpg?resize=404,600 404w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-7-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30269.jpg?resize=607,900 607w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-7-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30269.jpg?resize=809,1200 809w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-7-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30269.jpg?resize=1348,2000 1348w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 149px) 100vw, 149px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-649156\" height=\"221\" width=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-8-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30270.jpg\" alt=\"Young, left, Stafford, and Cernan inside the blast room beneath the launch pad\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-8-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30270.jpg 5776w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-8-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30270.jpg?resize=300,203 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-8-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30270.jpg?resize=768,519 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-8-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30270.jpg?resize=1024,692 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-8-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30270.jpg?resize=1536,1038 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-8-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30270.jpg?resize=2048,1384 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-8-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30270.jpg?resize=400,270 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-8-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30270.jpg?resize=600,405 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-8-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30270.jpg?resize=900,608 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-8-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30270.jpg?resize=1200,811 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-8-apollo-10-crew-pad-39b-egress-trng-apr-14-1969-s69-30270.jpg?resize=2000,1351 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 326px) 100vw, 326px\" \/><br><em>Left: Apollo 10 astronauts John W. Young, left, Thomas P. Stafford, and Eugene A. Cernan during an inspection visit at Launch Pad 39B. Middle: Young, front, Stafford, and Cernan inspect the slide wire escape mechanism at the top of Launch Pad 39B. Right: Young, left, Stafford, and Cernan inside the blast room beneath the launch pad.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Engineers at KSC completed the Flight Readiness Test (FRT) between April 7 and 10, an activity that ensured the flight readiness of all the vehicle systems and their interaction with ground support equipment. Stafford, Cernan, and Young took part in an emergency egress drill at Launch Pad 39B, including inspecting the slide wire escape mechanism and the blast room, a concrete reinforced structure under the launch pad used in case of a catastrophic emergency during fueling of the rocket or the countdown. Managers from NASA Headquarters, KSC, MSC, and the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, met at KSC on April 23 to conduct the Flight Readiness Review for Apollo 10. At the conclusion of the meeting, during which they reviewed all aspects of the flight hardware as well as the readiness of the crew, the control centers, and the Manned Spaceflight Network, the managers decided that the mission could proceed toward a launch on May 18. On April 28, a planned power outage to conduct maintenance at KSC\u2019s Launch Control Center also caused power outages at the launch pad, where not all systems had backup power. Workers had already loaded the rocket\u2019s first stage with its flight load of RP-1 fuel, and the loss of power caused valves at the bottom of the tank to open, spilling 5,280 liters of fuel onto the launch pad\u2019s flame trench. Since the fuel tank did not have any relief valves to allow air to enter the tank as fuel drained out, the loss of fluid volume caused the top of the tank to dimple inward. Quick thinking engineers at the pad instituted a work around to refill the tank and the dimple popped out with a very audible \u201cboomp.\u201d Launch pad manager John J. \u201cTip\u201d Talone concluded of the quick action, \u201cIt worked like a champ.\u201d Engineers resolved concern with any possible cracks in the fuel tank through non-destructive testing and visual inspections. The Countdown Demonstration Test, a final dress rehearsal of the countdown, took place between April 29 and May 6, with Stafford, Young, and Cernan participating in the final phase as if on launch day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-649168\" height=\"240\" width=\"353\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-9-apollo-10-bu-crew-gulf-egress-training-apr-4-1969-s69-29802.jpg\" alt=\"The Apollo 10 backup crew of L. Gordon Cooper, left, Edgar D. Mitchell, and Donn F. Eisele prepare for the water egress test aboard the MV Retriever in the Gulf of Mexico\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-9-apollo-10-bu-crew-gulf-egress-training-apr-4-1969-s69-29802.jpg 4734w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-9-apollo-10-bu-crew-gulf-egress-training-apr-4-1969-s69-29802.jpg?resize=300,204 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-9-apollo-10-bu-crew-gulf-egress-training-apr-4-1969-s69-29802.jpg?resize=768,523 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-9-apollo-10-bu-crew-gulf-egress-training-apr-4-1969-s69-29802.jpg?resize=1024,697 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-9-apollo-10-bu-crew-gulf-egress-training-apr-4-1969-s69-29802.jpg?resize=1536,1045 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-9-apollo-10-bu-crew-gulf-egress-training-apr-4-1969-s69-29802.jpg?resize=2048,1394 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-9-apollo-10-bu-crew-gulf-egress-training-apr-4-1969-s69-29802.jpg?resize=400,272 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-9-apollo-10-bu-crew-gulf-egress-training-apr-4-1969-s69-29802.jpg?resize=600,408 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-9-apollo-10-bu-crew-gulf-egress-training-apr-4-1969-s69-29802.jpg?resize=900,613 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-9-apollo-10-bu-crew-gulf-egress-training-apr-4-1969-s69-29802.jpg?resize=1200,817 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-9-apollo-10-bu-crew-gulf-egress-training-apr-4-1969-s69-29802.jpg?resize=2000,1361 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 353px) 100vw, 353px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-649169\" height=\"240\" width=\"318\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-10-apollo-10-bu-crew-gulf-egress-training-apr-4-1969-s69-29716.jpg\" alt=\"Mitchell, left, Eisele, and Cooper in the life raft await pickup by a helicopter during the water egress test\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-10-apollo-10-bu-crew-gulf-egress-training-apr-4-1969-s69-29716.jpg 2992w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-10-apollo-10-bu-crew-gulf-egress-training-apr-4-1969-s69-29716.jpg?resize=300,226 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-10-apollo-10-bu-crew-gulf-egress-training-apr-4-1969-s69-29716.jpg?resize=768,579 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-10-apollo-10-bu-crew-gulf-egress-training-apr-4-1969-s69-29716.jpg?resize=1024,772 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-10-apollo-10-bu-crew-gulf-egress-training-apr-4-1969-s69-29716.jpg?resize=1536,1159 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-10-apollo-10-bu-crew-gulf-egress-training-apr-4-1969-s69-29716.jpg?resize=2048,1545 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-10-apollo-10-bu-crew-gulf-egress-training-apr-4-1969-s69-29716.jpg?resize=400,302 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-10-apollo-10-bu-crew-gulf-egress-training-apr-4-1969-s69-29716.jpg?resize=600,453 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-10-apollo-10-bu-crew-gulf-egress-training-apr-4-1969-s69-29716.jpg?resize=900,679 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-10-apollo-10-bu-crew-gulf-egress-training-apr-4-1969-s69-29716.jpg?resize=1200,905 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-10-apollo-10-bu-crew-gulf-egress-training-apr-4-1969-s69-29716.jpg?resize=2000,1509 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 318px) 100vw, 318px\" \/><br><em>Left: The Apollo 10 backup crew of L. Gordon Cooper, left, Edgar D. Mitchell, and Donn F. Eisele prepare for the water egress test aboard the MV Retriever in the Gulf of Mexico. Right: Mitchell, left, Eisele, and Cooper in the life raft await pickup by a helicopter during the water egress test.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Apollo 10 backup crew members Cooper, Eisele, and Mitchell completed water egress training in the Gulf of Mexico on April 4. Using a boilerplate Apollo CM and tended by the Motorized Vessel (MV) Retriever, the astronauts practiced emerging from the capsule as if after splashdown, and with assistance from divers waited in a life raft for helicopter crews to retrieve them from the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Apollo 11<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-649170\" height=\"269\" width=\"215\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-11-apollo-11-lm-sla-mating-apr-4-1969-s69-32394.jpg\" alt=\"In the Manned Spacecraft Operations Building (MSOB) at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida, workers complete attaching the landing legs to the Apollo 11 Lunar Module (LM)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-11-apollo-11-lm-sla-mating-apr-4-1969-s69-32394.jpg 3780w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-11-apollo-11-lm-sla-mating-apr-4-1969-s69-32394.jpg?resize=240,300 240w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-11-apollo-11-lm-sla-mating-apr-4-1969-s69-32394.jpg?resize=768,962 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-11-apollo-11-lm-sla-mating-apr-4-1969-s69-32394.jpg?resize=818,1024 818w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-11-apollo-11-lm-sla-mating-apr-4-1969-s69-32394.jpg?resize=1226,1536 1226w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-11-apollo-11-lm-sla-mating-apr-4-1969-s69-32394.jpg?resize=1635,2048 1635w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-11-apollo-11-lm-sla-mating-apr-4-1969-s69-32394.jpg?resize=319,400 319w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-11-apollo-11-lm-sla-mating-apr-4-1969-s69-32394.jpg?resize=479,600 479w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-11-apollo-11-lm-sla-mating-apr-4-1969-s69-32394.jpg?resize=719,900 719w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-11-apollo-11-lm-sla-mating-apr-4-1969-s69-32394.jpg?resize=958,1200 958w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-11-apollo-11-lm-sla-mating-apr-4-1969-s69-32394.jpg?resize=1597,2000 1597w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 215px) 100vw, 215px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-649171\" height=\"269\" width=\"215\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-12-apollo-11-csm-sla-mating-apr-11-1969-s69-32369.jpg\" alt=\"In the MSOB, workers lower the Command Service Module onto the Spacecraft LM Adaptor\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-12-apollo-11-csm-sla-mating-apr-11-1969-s69-32369.jpg 3755w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-12-apollo-11-csm-sla-mating-apr-11-1969-s69-32369.jpg?resize=240,300 240w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-12-apollo-11-csm-sla-mating-apr-11-1969-s69-32369.jpg?resize=768,959 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-12-apollo-11-csm-sla-mating-apr-11-1969-s69-32369.jpg?resize=820,1024 820w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-12-apollo-11-csm-sla-mating-apr-11-1969-s69-32369.jpg?resize=1230,1536 1230w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-12-apollo-11-csm-sla-mating-apr-11-1969-s69-32369.jpg?resize=1640,2048 1640w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-12-apollo-11-csm-sla-mating-apr-11-1969-s69-32369.jpg?resize=320,400 320w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-12-apollo-11-csm-sla-mating-apr-11-1969-s69-32369.jpg?resize=480,600 480w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-12-apollo-11-csm-sla-mating-apr-11-1969-s69-32369.jpg?resize=721,900 721w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-12-apollo-11-csm-sla-mating-apr-11-1969-s69-32369.jpg?resize=961,1200 961w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-12-apollo-11-csm-sla-mating-apr-11-1969-s69-32369.jpg?resize=1601,2000 1601w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 215px) 100vw, 215px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-649172\" height=\"269\" width=\"213\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-13-apollo-11-stacking-w-saturn-v-apr-14-1969-s69-32389.jpg\" alt=\"In KSC\u2019s Vehicle Assembly Building, workers lower the Apollo 11 spacecraft onto its Saturn V rocket\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-13-apollo-11-stacking-w-saturn-v-apr-14-1969-s69-32389.jpg 3756w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-13-apollo-11-stacking-w-saturn-v-apr-14-1969-s69-32389.jpg?resize=238,300 238w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-13-apollo-11-stacking-w-saturn-v-apr-14-1969-s69-32389.jpg?resize=768,968 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-13-apollo-11-stacking-w-saturn-v-apr-14-1969-s69-32389.jpg?resize=813,1024 813w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-13-apollo-11-stacking-w-saturn-v-apr-14-1969-s69-32389.jpg?resize=1219,1536 1219w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-13-apollo-11-stacking-w-saturn-v-apr-14-1969-s69-32389.jpg?resize=1626,2048 1626w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-13-apollo-11-stacking-w-saturn-v-apr-14-1969-s69-32389.jpg?resize=317,400 317w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-13-apollo-11-stacking-w-saturn-v-apr-14-1969-s69-32389.jpg?resize=476,600 476w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-13-apollo-11-stacking-w-saturn-v-apr-14-1969-s69-32389.jpg?resize=714,900 714w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-13-apollo-11-stacking-w-saturn-v-apr-14-1969-s69-32389.jpg?resize=952,1200 952w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-13-apollo-11-stacking-w-saturn-v-apr-14-1969-s69-32389.jpg?resize=1587,2000 1587w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 213px) 100vw, 213px\" \/><br><em>Left: In the Manned Spacecraft Operations Building (MSOB) at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida, workers complete attaching the landing legs to the Apollo 11 Lunar Module (LM). Middle: In the MSOB, workers lower the Command Service Module onto the Spacecraft LM Adaptor. Right: In KSC\u2019s Vehicle Assembly Building, workers lower the Apollo 11 spacecraft onto its Saturn V rocket.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As launch day neared for Apollo 10, work progressed to get Apollo 11 ready for its historic mission. In KSC\u2019s Manned Spacecraft Operations Building (MSOB), workers attached the four landing legs to the Apollo 11 LM, mated it with its Spacecraft LM Adapter (SLA) on April 4, and three days later completed assembly of the spacecraft by adding the CSM. On April 14, they transported the spacecraft to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), where engineers stacked it atop its Saturn V rocket. They performed tests on the vehicle prior to its rollout to the launch pad in mid-May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-649186\" height=\"230\" width=\"147\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-14-apollo-11-lunar-surface-eva-training-bldg-9-apr-18-1969-s69-32236.jpg\" alt=\"Apollo 11 astronaut Neil A. Armstrong practices taking the first step onto the lunar surface\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-649187\" height=\"257\" width=\"331\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-15-apollo-11-lunar-surface-eva-training-bldg-9-apr-18-1969-s69-32249.jpg\" alt=\"Edwin E. \u201cBuzz\u201d Aldrin, left, and Armstrong train for lunar surface activities\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-649188\" height=\"230\" width=\"146\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-16-apollo-11-lunar-surface-eva-training-bldg-9-apr-18-1969-s69-32250.jpg\" alt=\"Aldrin trains to carry the science instruments\"><br><em>Left: Apollo 11 astronaut Neil A. Armstrong practices taking the first step onto the lunar surface. Middle: Edwin E. \u201cBuzz\u201d Aldrin, left, and Armstrong train for lunar surface activities. Right: Aldrin trains to carry the science instruments.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Apollo 11 prime crew of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/astronauts\/former-astronauts\/former-astronaut-neil-a-armstrong\/\">Neil A. Armstrong<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-michael-collins\/\">Michael Collins<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-edwin-buzz-aldrin\/\">Edwin E. \u201cBuzz\u201d Aldrin<\/a> and their backups <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-james-a-lovell\/\">James A. Lovell<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-william-a-anders\/\">William A. Anders<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-fred-haise\/\">Fred W. Haise<\/a> busied themselves training for the Moon landing. On April 14, Apollo Spacecraft Program Manager Low announced in a press conference that Armstrong would most likely be the first person to exit the LM and take humanity\u2019s first steps on the lunar surface. Aldrin would follow about 20 minutes later. The LM cabin\u2019s configuration primarily dictated the rationale for this decision \u2013 because of the way the LM\u2019s hatch opened inward, it would be difficult at best for Aldrin to exit first, since he would need to climb over Armstrong in the cramped quarters of the cabin, both of them wearing bulky spacesuits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-649189\" height=\"221\" width=\"220\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-17-apollo-11-alt-chamber-suit-test-apr-4-1969-s69-31358.jpg\" alt=\"Apollo 11 astronaut Edwin E. \u201cBuzz\u201d Aldrin tests his spacesuit in a vacuum chamber\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-17-apollo-11-alt-chamber-suit-test-apr-4-1969-s69-31358.jpg 3678w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-17-apollo-11-alt-chamber-suit-test-apr-4-1969-s69-31358.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-17-apollo-11-alt-chamber-suit-test-apr-4-1969-s69-31358.jpg?resize=300,300 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-17-apollo-11-alt-chamber-suit-test-apr-4-1969-s69-31358.jpg?resize=768,769 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-17-apollo-11-alt-chamber-suit-test-apr-4-1969-s69-31358.jpg?resize=1022,1024 1022w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-17-apollo-11-alt-chamber-suit-test-apr-4-1969-s69-31358.jpg?resize=1533,1536 1533w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-17-apollo-11-alt-chamber-suit-test-apr-4-1969-s69-31358.jpg?resize=2044,2048 2044w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-17-apollo-11-alt-chamber-suit-test-apr-4-1969-s69-31358.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-17-apollo-11-alt-chamber-suit-test-apr-4-1969-s69-31358.jpg?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-17-apollo-11-alt-chamber-suit-test-apr-4-1969-s69-31358.jpg?resize=200,200 200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-17-apollo-11-alt-chamber-suit-test-apr-4-1969-s69-31358.jpg?resize=400,400 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-17-apollo-11-alt-chamber-suit-test-apr-4-1969-s69-31358.jpg?resize=600,600 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-17-apollo-11-alt-chamber-suit-test-apr-4-1969-s69-31358.jpg?resize=898,900 898w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-17-apollo-11-alt-chamber-suit-test-apr-4-1969-s69-31358.jpg?resize=1198,1200 1198w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-17-apollo-11-alt-chamber-suit-test-apr-4-1969-s69-31358.jpg?resize=1996,2000 1996w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 220px) 100vw, 220px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-649190\" height=\"221\" width=\"221\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-18-apollo-11-collins-centrifuge-training-apr-14-1969-s69-31065.jpg\" alt=\"Michael Collins prepares to enter the centrifuge gondola\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-18-apollo-11-collins-centrifuge-training-apr-14-1969-s69-31065.jpg 4134w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-18-apollo-11-collins-centrifuge-training-apr-14-1969-s69-31065.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-18-apollo-11-collins-centrifuge-training-apr-14-1969-s69-31065.jpg?resize=300,300 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-18-apollo-11-collins-centrifuge-training-apr-14-1969-s69-31065.jpg?resize=768,768 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-18-apollo-11-collins-centrifuge-training-apr-14-1969-s69-31065.jpg?resize=1024,1024 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-18-apollo-11-collins-centrifuge-training-apr-14-1969-s69-31065.jpg?resize=1536,1536 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-18-apollo-11-collins-centrifuge-training-apr-14-1969-s69-31065.jpg?resize=2048,2048 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-18-apollo-11-collins-centrifuge-training-apr-14-1969-s69-31065.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-18-apollo-11-collins-centrifuge-training-apr-14-1969-s69-31065.jpg?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-18-apollo-11-collins-centrifuge-training-apr-14-1969-s69-31065.jpg?resize=200,200 200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-18-apollo-11-collins-centrifuge-training-apr-14-1969-s69-31065.jpg?resize=400,400 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-18-apollo-11-collins-centrifuge-training-apr-14-1969-s69-31065.jpg?resize=600,600 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-18-apollo-11-collins-centrifuge-training-apr-14-1969-s69-31065.jpg?resize=900,900 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-18-apollo-11-collins-centrifuge-training-apr-14-1969-s69-31065.jpg?resize=1200,1200 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-18-apollo-11-collins-centrifuge-training-apr-14-1969-s69-31065.jpg?resize=2000,2000 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 221px) 100vw, 221px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-649191\" height=\"221\" width=\"218\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-19-apollo-11-surface-eva-training-chamber-b-apr-29-1969-s69-32798.jpg\" alt=\"Neil A. Armstrong trains with a lunar sample container in a vacuum chamber\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-19-apollo-11-surface-eva-training-chamber-b-apr-29-1969-s69-32798.jpg 3671w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-19-apollo-11-surface-eva-training-chamber-b-apr-29-1969-s69-32798.jpg?resize=295,300 295w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-19-apollo-11-surface-eva-training-chamber-b-apr-29-1969-s69-32798.jpg?resize=768,780 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-19-apollo-11-surface-eva-training-chamber-b-apr-29-1969-s69-32798.jpg?resize=1009,1024 1009w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-19-apollo-11-surface-eva-training-chamber-b-apr-29-1969-s69-32798.jpg?resize=1513,1536 1513w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-19-apollo-11-surface-eva-training-chamber-b-apr-29-1969-s69-32798.jpg?resize=2017,2048 2017w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-19-apollo-11-surface-eva-training-chamber-b-apr-29-1969-s69-32798.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-19-apollo-11-surface-eva-training-chamber-b-apr-29-1969-s69-32798.jpg?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-19-apollo-11-surface-eva-training-chamber-b-apr-29-1969-s69-32798.jpg?resize=394,400 394w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-19-apollo-11-surface-eva-training-chamber-b-apr-29-1969-s69-32798.jpg?resize=591,600 591w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-19-apollo-11-surface-eva-training-chamber-b-apr-29-1969-s69-32798.jpg?resize=886,900 886w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-19-apollo-11-surface-eva-training-chamber-b-apr-29-1969-s69-32798.jpg?resize=1182,1200 1182w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-19-apollo-11-surface-eva-training-chamber-b-apr-29-1969-s69-32798.jpg?resize=1970,2000 1970w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 218px) 100vw, 218px\" \/><br><em>Left: Apollo 11 astronaut Edwin E. \u201cBuzz\u201d Aldrin tests his spacesuit in a vacuum chamber. Middle: Michael Collins prepares to enter the centrifuge gondola. Right: Neil A. Armstrong trains with a lunar sample container in a vacuum chamber.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To ensure the space-worthiness of their spacesuits, the astronauts tested them in the 8-foot altitude chamber in MSC\u2019s Crew Systems Division. Collins and Anders spent time in the centrifuge in MSC\u2019s Flight Acceleration Facility, practicing profiles of a launch and a reentry from a lunar mission. In MSC\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/building-on-a-mission-astronaut-training-facilities\/\">Building 9<\/a>, on April 18 Armstrong and Aldrin, wearing their spacesuits, completed a 2.5-hour simulation of activities, such as collecting rock and soil samples and deploying scientific instruments, that they will perform on the lunar surface. Armstrong, Aldrin, Lovell, and Haise each completed sea-level runs in Chamber B of MSC\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/building-on-a-mission-spacecraft-environmental-testing\/\">Space Environment Simulation Laboratory<\/a>. During these tests, the astronauts wore their spacesuits and practiced the various lunar surface activities, such as activating the television camera, collecting rock samples, and deploying the scientific experiments of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/50-years-ago-on-the-way-to-the-moon-lunar-science-announced\">Early Apollo Surface Experiment Package<\/a> (EASEP). They followed up these ambient sessions with altitude runs in early May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-649208\" height=\"221\" width=\"226\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-20-lm-2-drop-test-apr-3-1969-s69-29355.jpg\" alt=\"One of the three Lunar Module-2 drop tests conducted during the first week of April\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-20-lm-2-drop-test-apr-3-1969-s69-29355.jpg 3690w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-20-lm-2-drop-test-apr-3-1969-s69-29355.jpg?resize=300,294 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-20-lm-2-drop-test-apr-3-1969-s69-29355.jpg?resize=768,753 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-20-lm-2-drop-test-apr-3-1969-s69-29355.jpg?resize=1024,1004 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-20-lm-2-drop-test-apr-3-1969-s69-29355.jpg?resize=1536,1506 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-20-lm-2-drop-test-apr-3-1969-s69-29355.jpg?resize=2048,2008 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-20-lm-2-drop-test-apr-3-1969-s69-29355.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-20-lm-2-drop-test-apr-3-1969-s69-29355.jpg?resize=400,392 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-20-lm-2-drop-test-apr-3-1969-s69-29355.jpg?resize=600,588 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-20-lm-2-drop-test-apr-3-1969-s69-29355.jpg?resize=900,882 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-20-lm-2-drop-test-apr-3-1969-s69-29355.jpg?resize=1200,1177 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-20-lm-2-drop-test-apr-3-1969-s69-29355.jpg?resize=2000,1961 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 226px) 100vw, 226px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-649209\" height=\"221\" width=\"451\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-21-apollo-11-bldg-37-exterior-may-1969-s69-34872.jpg\" alt=\"The Lunar Receiving Laboratory for astronauts and lunar samples returning from the Moon\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-21-apollo-11-bldg-37-exterior-may-1969-s69-34872.jpg 5008w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-21-apollo-11-bldg-37-exterior-may-1969-s69-34872.jpg?resize=300,147 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-21-apollo-11-bldg-37-exterior-may-1969-s69-34872.jpg?resize=768,376 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-21-apollo-11-bldg-37-exterior-may-1969-s69-34872.jpg?resize=1024,501 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-21-apollo-11-bldg-37-exterior-may-1969-s69-34872.jpg?resize=1536,752 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-21-apollo-11-bldg-37-exterior-may-1969-s69-34872.jpg?resize=2048,1003 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-21-apollo-11-bldg-37-exterior-may-1969-s69-34872.jpg?resize=400,196 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-21-apollo-11-bldg-37-exterior-may-1969-s69-34872.jpg?resize=600,294 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-21-apollo-11-bldg-37-exterior-may-1969-s69-34872.jpg?resize=900,441 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-21-apollo-11-bldg-37-exterior-may-1969-s69-34872.jpg?resize=1200,588 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-21-apollo-11-bldg-37-exterior-may-1969-s69-34872.jpg?resize=2000,979 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 451px) 100vw, 451px\" \/><br><em>Left: One of the three Lunar Module-2 drop tests conducted during the first week of April. Right: The Lunar Receiving Laboratory for astronauts and lunar samples returning from the Moon.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To certify the LM and its systems for the loads it would encounter during a lunar landing, engineers at MSC continued drop tests with the flight-like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/50-years-ago-on-the-way-to-the-moon-7\">LM-2<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/building-on-a-mission-spacecraft-environmental-testing\/\">Vibration and Acoustics Test Facility<\/a> (VATF).  Beginning the series in late March, engineers completed three of the five drop tests in early April. These tests induced lateral accelerations on the wire harnesses and plumbing in the spacecraft\u2019s aft equipment bay, produced high acceleration loads around the inertial measurement unit and the environmental control system, and stressed the LM\u2019s front face and side hatch. The final test in early May completed the certification of the LM for the first lunar landing. Elsewhere at MSC, staff continued to prepare the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/building-on-a-mission-the-lunar-receiving-laboratory\/\">Lunar Receiving Laboratory<\/a> (LRL) for the return of astronauts and samples from the Moon. Workers completed long-duration simulations of the LRL\u2019s major functions including the Crew Reception Area in early April. The tests highlighted some deficiencies requiring correction prior to the first Moon landing flight. These included problems with the sterilization equipment and the gloves used in gloveboxes to handle lunar samples repeatedly developed holes, compromising the biological barrier. A management readiness review held April 17-18 also noted these as areas needing improvement. To solve these issues, MSC Director <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/20-years-ago-remembering-robert-gilruth\/\">Robert R. Gilruth<\/a> named his special assistant <a href=\"https:\/\/historycollection.jsc.nasa.gov\/JSCHistoryPortal\/history\/oral_histories\/JohnstonRS\/johnstonrs.htm\" rel=\"noopener\">Richard S. Johnston<\/a> to oversee all aspects of the LRL. Workers corrected the problems and the LRL received certification just prior to the Apollo 11 mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-649210\" height=\"163\" width=\"239\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-22-lltv-2-flt-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-30113.jpg\" alt=\"At Ellington Air Force Base in Houston, NASA pilot Harold E. \u201cBud\u201d Ream at the controls of Lunar Landing Training Vehicle-2 (LLTV-2) on its first flight after flights resumed\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-22-lltv-2-flt-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-30113.jpg 5419w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-22-lltv-2-flt-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-30113.jpg?resize=300,205 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-22-lltv-2-flt-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-30113.jpg?resize=768,525 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-22-lltv-2-flt-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-30113.jpg?resize=1024,700 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-22-lltv-2-flt-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-30113.jpg?resize=1536,1049 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-22-lltv-2-flt-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-30113.jpg?resize=2048,1399 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-22-lltv-2-flt-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-30113.jpg?resize=400,273 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-22-lltv-2-flt-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-30113.jpg?resize=600,410 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-22-lltv-2-flt-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-30113.jpg?resize=900,615 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-22-lltv-2-flt-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-30113.jpg?resize=1200,820 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-22-lltv-2-flt-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-30113.jpg?resize=2000,1366 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 239px) 100vw, 239px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-649211\" height=\"163\" width=\"234\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-23-lltv-2-flt-t2-003-82f-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-29772.jpg\" alt=\"Ream walks away from LLTV-2 after the successful flight\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-23-lltv-2-flt-t2-003-82f-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-29772.jpg 5366w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-23-lltv-2-flt-t2-003-82f-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-29772.jpg?resize=300,209 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-23-lltv-2-flt-t2-003-82f-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-29772.jpg?resize=768,535 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-23-lltv-2-flt-t2-003-82f-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-29772.jpg?resize=1024,714 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-23-lltv-2-flt-t2-003-82f-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-29772.jpg?resize=1536,1071 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-23-lltv-2-flt-t2-003-82f-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-29772.jpg?resize=2048,1428 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-23-lltv-2-flt-t2-003-82f-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-29772.jpg?resize=400,279 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-23-lltv-2-flt-t2-003-82f-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-29772.jpg?resize=600,418 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-23-lltv-2-flt-t2-003-82f-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-29772.jpg?resize=900,627 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-23-lltv-2-flt-t2-003-82f-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-29772.jpg?resize=1200,837 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-23-lltv-2-flt-t2-003-82f-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-29772.jpg?resize=2000,1394 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 234px) 100vw, 234px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-649212\" height=\"163\" width=\"188\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-24-llrf-multiple-exposure.jpg\" alt=\"Multiple exposure of a practice landing at the Lunar Landing Research Facility at NASA\u2019s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-24-llrf-multiple-exposure.jpg 460w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-24-llrf-multiple-exposure.jpg?resize=300,261 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-24-llrf-multiple-exposure.jpg?resize=400,348 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 188px) 100vw, 188px\" \/><br><em>Left: At Ellington Air Force Base in Houston, NASA pilot Harold E. \u201cBud\u201d Ream at the controls of Lunar Landing Training Vehicle-2 (LLTV-2) on its first flight after flights resumed. Middle: Ream walks away from LLTV-2 after the successful flight. Right: Multiple exposure of a practice landing at the Lunar Landing Research Facility at NASA\u2019s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At Ellington Air Force Base near MSC, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/50-years-ago-on-the-way-to-the-moon-8\">Lunar Landing Training Vehicle<\/a> (LLTV) resumed flight operations on April 7 with MSC pilot Harold E. \u201cBud\u201d Ream at the controls. Apollo commanders relied on the LLTV as a key training tool to simulate the flying characteristics of the LM, especially of the final 500 feet of the descent. But NASA managers had grounded the LLTV after a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-on-the-way-to-the-moon-6\/\">crash in December 1968<\/a>, and following investigations had allowed flights to resume but only by test pilots. Ream completed more than a dozen flights before managers cleared the LLTV for astronaut training in June. While the LLTV remained grounded, Apollo 11 astronauts made use of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/50-years-ago-the-lunar-landing-research-facility\">Lunar Landing Research Facility<\/a> (LLRF) at the NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, to train for the final descent to the lunar surface.  Lovell and Haise practiced Moon landings in the LLRF in mid-April. Armstrong and Aldrin would use the facility for practice landings in late June. Once managers cleared the LLTV for astronaut use in early June, Armstrong and Lovell completed training flights in that higher fidelity vehicle later that month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Apollo 12<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Looking beyond Apollo 11, NASA continued preparations for the next missions. In case Apollo 11 could not achieve the Moon landing, the agency established readiness dates for Apollo 12 of Sept. 13 and Apollo 13 of Nov. 10, to try again. If Apollo 11 succeeded, the follow on missions would occur at four-month intervals and explore different regions of the Moon with an expanded set of science instruments and geology objectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-649221\" height=\"259\" width=\"263\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-25-apollo-9-bu-crew-water-egress-training-dec-6-1968-s68-51701.jpg\" alt=\"Apollo 12 astronauts Charles \u201cPete\u201d Conrad, left, Richard F. Gordon, and Alan L. Bean pose in front of a boilerplate Apollo capsule during water egress training when they served as the backup crew for Apollo 9\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-25-apollo-9-bu-crew-water-egress-training-dec-6-1968-s68-51701.jpg 3796w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-25-apollo-9-bu-crew-water-egress-training-dec-6-1968-s68-51701.jpg?resize=300,296 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-25-apollo-9-bu-crew-water-egress-training-dec-6-1968-s68-51701.jpg?resize=768,757 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-25-apollo-9-bu-crew-water-egress-training-dec-6-1968-s68-51701.jpg?resize=1024,1009 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-25-apollo-9-bu-crew-water-egress-training-dec-6-1968-s68-51701.jpg?resize=1536,1514 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-25-apollo-9-bu-crew-water-egress-training-dec-6-1968-s68-51701.jpg?resize=2048,2019 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-25-apollo-9-bu-crew-water-egress-training-dec-6-1968-s68-51701.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-25-apollo-9-bu-crew-water-egress-training-dec-6-1968-s68-51701.jpg?resize=400,394 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-25-apollo-9-bu-crew-water-egress-training-dec-6-1968-s68-51701.jpg?resize=600,591 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-25-apollo-9-bu-crew-water-egress-training-dec-6-1968-s68-51701.jpg?resize=900,887 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-25-apollo-9-bu-crew-water-egress-training-dec-6-1968-s68-51701.jpg?resize=1200,1183 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-25-apollo-9-bu-crew-water-egress-training-dec-6-1968-s68-51701.jpg?resize=2000,1972 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 263px) 100vw, 263px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-649222\" height=\"259\" width=\"389\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-26-apollo-12-crew-inspecting-alsep-ksc-apr-24-1969-19690423-ksc-69p-285.jpg\" alt=\"Apollo 12 prime crew members Conrad, left, and Bean, right, review Apollo Lunar Surface Experiment Package equipment as backup astronaut James B. Irwin, with arms folded, looks on\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-26-apollo-12-crew-inspecting-alsep-ksc-apr-24-1969-19690423-ksc-69p-285.jpg 3780w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-26-apollo-12-crew-inspecting-alsep-ksc-apr-24-1969-19690423-ksc-69p-285.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-26-apollo-12-crew-inspecting-alsep-ksc-apr-24-1969-19690423-ksc-69p-285.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-26-apollo-12-crew-inspecting-alsep-ksc-apr-24-1969-19690423-ksc-69p-285.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-26-apollo-12-crew-inspecting-alsep-ksc-apr-24-1969-19690423-ksc-69p-285.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-26-apollo-12-crew-inspecting-alsep-ksc-apr-24-1969-19690423-ksc-69p-285.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-26-apollo-12-crew-inspecting-alsep-ksc-apr-24-1969-19690423-ksc-69p-285.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-26-apollo-12-crew-inspecting-alsep-ksc-apr-24-1969-19690423-ksc-69p-285.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-26-apollo-12-crew-inspecting-alsep-ksc-apr-24-1969-19690423-ksc-69p-285.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-26-apollo-12-crew-inspecting-alsep-ksc-apr-24-1969-19690423-ksc-69p-285.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-26-apollo-12-crew-inspecting-alsep-ksc-apr-24-1969-19690423-ksc-69p-285.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 389px) 100vw, 389px\" \/><br><em>Left: Apollo 12 astronauts Charles \u201cPete\u201d Conrad, left, Richard F. Gordon, and Alan L. Bean pose in front of a boilerplate Apollo capsule during water egress training when they served as the backup crew for Apollo 9. Right: Apollo 12 prime crew members Conrad, left, and Bean, right, review Apollo Lunar Surface Experiment Package equipment as backup astronaut James B. Irwin, with arms folded, looks on.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On April 10, NASA announced the prime and backup crews for Apollo 12. The prime crew consisted of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-charles-pete-conrad-jr\/\">Charles \u201cPete\u201d Conrad<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-richard-f-gordon-jr\/\">Richard F. Gordon<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-alan-bean\/\">Alan L. Bean<\/a>. The three had served as the backup crew for the March 1969 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/50-years-ago-apollo-9-completes-its-mission\">Apollo 9<\/a> mission. Conrad had flown in space twice before, during the then record-breaking eight-day <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-gemini-5-sets-a-new-record\/\">Gemini V<\/a> mission in 1965 and with Gordon on his only previous mission during <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-gemini-xi-achieves-one-orbit-rendezvous-record-altitude\/\">Gemini XI<\/a> in 1966, when they achieved a then-record human space flight altitude of 853 miles. NASA <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/60-years-ago-nasa-selects-its-third-group-of-astronauts\/\">selected Bean<\/a>, a spaceflight rookie, in 1963. The Apollo 12 backup crew of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/scott_david.pdf?emrc=66333b30134ad\">David R. Scott<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/worden_alfred.pdf?emrc=66333b3013619\">Alfred M. Worden<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/irwin_james.pdf?emrc=66333b3013774\">James B. Irwin<\/a> would fly the mission in case something happened to the prime crew. Scott had previously flown in space aboard <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-gemini-viii-the-first-docking-in-space\/\">Gemini VIII<\/a> in 1966, the mission that accomplished the first docking in space and also made the first emergency landing, and more recently he flew aboard Apollo 9. Worden and Irwin had not yet flown in space, but Worden had served on support crews and Irwin as the commander of the crew that conducted tests with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/50-years-ago-thermo-vacuum-testing-certifies-critical-lunar-hardware\">LM Test Article-8<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/50-years-ago-on-the-way-to-the-moon-2\">LTA-8<\/a>) in 1968 to evaluate the LM in a vacuum chamber at MSC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-649223\" height=\"201\" width=\"258\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-27-apollo-12-lm-msob-apr-1969-s69-32431.jpg\" alt=\"At NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida, workers unwrap the Apollo 12 Lunar Module (LM) descent stage shortly after its arrival in the Manned Spacecraft Operations Building\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-649224\" height=\"205\" width=\"159\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-28-apollo-12-lm-move-to-alt-chamber-for-cm-docking-test-apr-18-1969-s69-33168.jpg\" alt=\"Workers lower the Apollo 12 LM ascent stage onto the Command Module for a docking test\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-649225\" height=\"247\" width=\"256\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-29-apollo-12-s-ii-arrival-apr-21-1969-19690422-ksc-69p-264.jpg\" alt=\"Workers roll the Apollo 12 Saturn V S-II second stage into KSC\u2019s Vehicle Assembly Building\"><br><em>Left: At NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida, workers unwrap the Apollo 12 Lunar Module (LM) descent stage shortly after its arrival in the Manned Spacecraft Operations Building. Middle: Workers lower the Apollo 12 LM ascent stage onto the Command Module for a docking test. Right: Workers roll the Apollo 12 Saturn V S-II second stage into KSC\u2019s Vehicle Assembly Building.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At KSC, components for Apollo 12 began to arrive for processing. The Saturn V\u2019s S-IVB third stage had arrived at the VAB in March, joined by the S-II second stage on April 21, with the S-IC first stage expected in May. The Apollo 12 LM and CSM had arrived in the MSOB in March, and as workers finished up work with the Apollo 11 spacecraft, they shifted their focus to processing Apollo 12. On April 18, they conducted a docking test between the LM\u2019s ascent stage and the CSM, already placed in its altitude chamber for future testing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>To be continued \u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>News from around the world in April 1969:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>April 1 \u2013 At MSC, Director of Engineering <a href=\"https:\/\/historycollection.jsc.nasa.gov\/JSCHistoryPortal\/history\/oral_histories\/FagetMA\/fagetma.htm\" rel=\"noopener\">Maxime A. Faget<\/a> displayed a wood and paper model of a concept that would develop into the reusable space shuttle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>April 1 \u2013 The Hawker-Siddeley Harrier \u2013 a vertical take-off and landing fighter jet \u2013 began service with the Royal Air Force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>April 4 \u2013 Surgeon Dr. Denton Cooley implanted the first temporary artificial heart in a human in an operation at St. Luke\u2019s Episcopal Hospital in Houston.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>April 7 \u2013 First use of what became the Internet, with circulation of a Request for Comments document among the Network Working Group developing communications protocols for the ARPANET, the Internet\u2019s forerunner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>April 14 \u2013 The Montreal Expos beat the visiting St. Louis Cardinals in the first Major League Baseball game played outside the U.S.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>April 20 \u2013 Princeton University announced that for the first time in its 223- year history it would admit women starting in the fall of 1969.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>April 22 \u2013 Robin Knox-Johnson completed the first solo sail around the world without stopping or taking on supplies during the entire 312-day voyage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>April 28 \u2013 Charles de Gaulle resigned as president of France after 11 years in office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>April 29 \u2013 President Richard M. Nixon awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to bandleader Duke Ellington.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-related-articles\">\t\t<section class=\"hds-related-articles padding-x-0 padding-y-3 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"w-100 grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0 text-align-left\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\"><h2 style=\"max-width: 100%;\" class=\"width-full w-full maxw-full\">Explore More<\/h2><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/asian-american-and-native-hawaiian-pacific-islander-heritage-month-2024\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"243\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/aapi_2021_22_chiao_after_landing_jsc2005e17946.jpg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/aapi_2021_22_chiao_after_landing_jsc2005e17946.jpg 985w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/aapi_2021_22_chiao_after_landing_jsc2005e17946.jpg?resize=300,243 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/aapi_2021_22_chiao_after_landing_jsc2005e17946.jpg?resize=768,623 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/aapi_2021_22_chiao_after_landing_jsc2005e17946.jpg?resize=400,324 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/aapi_2021_22_chiao_after_landing_jsc2005e17946.jpg?resize=600,487 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/aapi_2021_22_chiao_after_landing_jsc2005e17946.jpg?resize=900,730 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">18 min read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"related-article-title\">Asian-American and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t17 hours ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/45-years-ago-space-shuttle-enterprise-arrives-at-nasas-kennedy-space-center\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"201\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-22-arriving-paris-air-show-jun-1983.jpg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-22-arriving-paris-air-show-jun-1983.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-22-arriving-paris-air-show-jun-1983.jpg?resize=300,201 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-22-arriving-paris-air-show-jun-1983.jpg?resize=768,515 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-22-arriving-paris-air-show-jun-1983.jpg?resize=400,268 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-22-arriving-paris-air-show-jun-1983.jpg?resize=600,402 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-22-arriving-paris-air-show-jun-1983.jpg?resize=900,603 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">13 min read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"related-article-title\">45 Years Ago: Space Shuttle Enterprise Arrives at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t3 weeks ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers-and-facilities\/glenn\/nasas-sert-ii-a-genuine-space-success-story\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"247\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/grc-1968-c-03031.jpg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/grc-1968-c-03031.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/grc-1968-c-03031.jpg?resize=300,247 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/grc-1968-c-03031.jpg?resize=768,633 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/grc-1968-c-03031.jpg?resize=1024,844 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/grc-1968-c-03031.jpg?resize=1536,1265 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/grc-1968-c-03031.jpg?resize=2048,1687 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/grc-1968-c-03031.jpg?resize=400,330 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/grc-1968-c-03031.jpg?resize=600,494 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/grc-1968-c-03031.jpg?resize=900,741 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/grc-1968-c-03031.jpg?resize=1200,989 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/grc-1968-c-03031.jpg?resize=2000,1648 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">5 min read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"related-article-title\">NASA\u2019s SERT II: ‘A Genuine Space Success Story\u2019<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t3 weeks ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The rapid pace of preparations for the first Moon landing continued in April 1969. The successful Apollo 9 mission in March cleared the way for Apollo 10 to test all three components of the spacecraft in lunar orbit in May, in a dress rehearsal for the landing itself. Apollo 10 astronauts Thomas P. Stafford, John [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":74,"featured_media":649211,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[2671],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[12664,11995],"coauthors":[11996],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"55 Years Ago: Three Months Until the Moon Landing","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-three-months-until-the-moon-landing\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-three-months-until-the-moon-landing\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-23-lltv-2-flt-t2-003-82f-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-29772.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-23-lltv-2-flt-t2-003-82f-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-29772.jpg"},"articleSection":"NASA History","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"John Uri"}],"creator":["John Uri"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["NASA History"],"dateCreated":"2024-04-18T16:36:56Z","datePublished":"2024-04-18T16:36:56Z","dateModified":"2024-04-18T16:36:59Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"55 Years Ago: Three Months Until the Moon Landing\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-three-months-until-the-moon-landing\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-23-lltv-2-flt-t2-003-82f-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-29772.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2024-04-18T16:36:56Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"NASA History\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"NASA History\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"John Uri\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":16,"time_ago":"2 weeks","featured_image":{"id":649211,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-23-lltv-2-flt-t2-003-82f-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-29772.jpg","title":"S69-29772 001","alt":"Ream walks away from LLTV-2 after the successful flight","caption":"Ream walks away from LLTV-2 after the successful flight"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/649143"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/74"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=649143"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/649143\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":649857,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/649143\/revisions\/649857"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/649211"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=649143"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=649143"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=649143"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=649143"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=649143"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}