1

Apollo 11 Highlights

Day 9

SC This entry timeline is my kind of timeline. Nice and slow.

CAPCOM 11, Houston. Roger. It sure is. EECOM is anxiously awaiting his big 

moment here for the launching sequence check whenever you’re ready. 

SC Okay, we'll be ready for that in just a flash.

CAPCOM Roger.

CAPCOM Apollo 11, Houston.

SC Go ahead, Ron.

CAPCOM This is Jim, Mike. Our crew is still standing by. I just want to remind you 

that the most difficult part of your mission is going to after your recovery.

SC Well, we're looking forward to all parts of it.

CAPCOM Please don't sneeze.

SC Yah, keep the mice healthy.

SC The earth is really getting bigger up here and, of course, we see a 

crescent. 

CAPCOM Yah, yah.

SC We've been taking pictures and we have four exposures to go and we'll 

take those and then pack to camera.

PAO And the Apollo 11 backup crew there has joined CAPCOM Ron Evans at 

his console, Jim Lovell, Bill Anders and Fred Hayes. Also Donald K. Slayton, Director of 

Flight Crew Operations, is at that console.

SC Houston, Apollo 11, we're ready for the logic check whenever you are. 

We're standing by to arm the logic. We've got ELS logic on, ELS auto and all the circuit 

breakers in.

CAPCOM Apollo 11, Houston. Roger. You can press on with the SECS logic.

SC Okay, logic 1 coming on. MARK it. Logic 2 coming on, MARK it.

CAPCOM Apollo 11, Houston, logic checks good. You're GO for PYRO arm.
2

SC Thank you, Sir.

SC Houston, Apollo 11, has got VHF simplex A on, whenever you want to 

make the contact.

CAPCOM Apollo 11, Houston. Roger. You faded out a little there, Buzz. I understand 

you have the VHF simplex A on now. Is that correct? Over.

SC That's affirmative, VHF simplex A and we're PR on VHF.

CAPCOM Roger. Mighty fine. We'll watch it as you are coming on in and let you 

know when the intelligibility is up and we'll make a voice check with you at that time.

SC Houston, Apollo 11. I've been holding here in SCS control minimum 

deadband rate low with the limit cycle on just as a matter of curiosity, if you guys wanted 

some fuel numbers from us.

CAPCOM 11, Houston. Roger. We copy and we've been figuring it out.

SC Okay.

SC It's a pleasure to be able to waste gas. 

CAPCOM Roger. That's affirm. 

PAO This is Apollo Control at 193 hours, 10 minutes. Apollo 11 is now 17,158 

nautical miles from Earth. Velocity 14,633 feet per second.

CAPCOM Apollo 11, Houston, with a little recovery force information. Over.

SC Go ahead.

CAPCOM Roger. The Hornet is on station just far enough off the target point to keep 

from getting hit. Recovery 1, the chopper is there. They are on station and Hawaii 

rescue 1 and 2, the C130's, are within 40 minutes of your target point. Over.

SC Sounds good. Thank you.

PAO This is Apollo Control at 193 hours 20 minutes. Apollo 11 is 15,854 

nautical miles from Earth, velocity 15,154 feet per second. We're just, we're 1 hour 43 

minutes away from entry and here are the altitudes at which the entry events are 

expected to occur. Entry at 75 statute miles, beginning blackout at 62 statute miles, 05g

57 statute miles, end blackout 41 statute miles, drogue chute deployment 23,300 feet 

and main chute deployment 10,500 feet.
3

CAPCOM Apollo 11, Houston.

SC Go ahead.

CAPCOM Roger. We don't want to jettison the hydrogen tank that stratifies, so could 

you cycle the fans in tank 2, please? Hydrogen tank 2.

SC You better believe. That old service module has taken good care of us. 

We want to take good care of it.

CAPCOM It sure has, hasn't it?

SC It's been a champ.

PAO That was Mike Collins.

PAO Apollo 11 is 1 hour away now from entry into the Earth's atmosphere.

CAPCOM 11, Houston. I'll give you a time hack at 58 minutes to go. It's about 15 

seconds yet.

SC Thank you.

CAPCOM Stand by. MARK, 58 minutes.

SC Roger.

PAO This is Apollo Control at 194 hours, 10 minutes. Apollo 11 is now 8 5...

SC Go ahead, Houston. Apollo 11.

CAPCOM Roger. We have our update at the state vector for you. Request POO and 

accept. Over.

SC Okay, you've got it.

CAPCOM Okay, here it comes.

PAO Spacecraft distance is 8393 nautical miles. Velocity 19,512 feet per 

second. Rescue and ARIA aircraft are reported on station and the Hornet's helicopters

containing the swimmers are reported airborne. Swim 1 is helicopter number 53. Three 

swimmers from that Helo are expected to place the collar on the spacecraft, floatation 

collar. Crew of Swim One consists of Lieutenant Commander Donald G. Pitchmand,

pilot... 

CAPCOM Apollo 11, Houston.
4

SC Go ahead.

CAPCOM Roger. The computer is yours now. Looks like you're in VHF range here. 

So we'll try a VHF check for you. We'll just send VHF up to you. Stand by.

SC Okay.

CAPCOM Apollo 11, Houston. VHF check on simplex ALFA. Over.

SC Roger, Houston. Apollo 11 VHF simplex ALFA loud and clear. How me? 

Over

CAPCOM Roger, 11. Houston. You're loud. The standard VHF noise though. Makes 

you realize that S-band is good.

SC Roger, understand. Thank you.

CAPCOM Apollo 11, Houston. Backup S-band now, and we're standing by for 

command module RCS activation.

SC Okay, we're just about there.

PAO Swim One's pilot Commander Pitchmand is from Orlando, Florida. Copilot 

Lt. William W. Strawn of Plymouth, Michigan, Crewman James R. Johnson, Raleigh, 

North Carolina. The swimmers aboard Swim One are Lt JG John McLachlan of 

Spokane, Washington, PH2 Terry A. Muehlenbach, Chatsworth, California, and AWHC

Mitchell L. Bucklew, Sanford, Florida. These three swimmers are scheduled to attach

the floatation collar and then move away from the command module while helicopter 

number 66, designated Recovery One, moves into the area and deploys one swimmer, 

Lt. Clancey Hatelberg. 

CAPCOM Apollo 11, Houston, you are GO for pyro arm.

SC Thank you, Houston.

PAO Lt. Clancey Hadleberg, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, will deploy from 

Recovery One wearing a biological isolation garment and he will hand to the crew 

through the hatch their biological isolation garments. At 194 hours 16 minutes Apollo 11 

is 7512 nautical miles from Earth, velocity 20 304 feet per second.

CAPCOM Apollo 11, Houston, your command module pressurization looks mighty 

good to us.

SC Looks good here, too.
5

CAPCOM And 11, Houston, I've got an update for about four items on your entry 

pad.

SC Ready to copy.

CAPCOM Roger, your MAX G 063. Your NOUN 60 your GAMMA at 400K, 648, your 

range to go on the EMS 14033 and your retro time for V circular 0214. Over.

SC Roger. Copy MAX G 6.3, R2 at NOUN 60 6.48, range to go EMS 14033, 

our ETV circular 0214. Over.

CAPCOM Roger, readback is correct there.

PAO The crew of helicopter 66, Recovery One: the pilot Cdr. D. S. Jones of 

Madison, Wisconsin; Copilot Lt JG Bruce A. Johnson, Bremerton, Washington, and the 

two crewmen who will assist the astronauts into the Helo: AWHC Norvel L. Wood of 

Carmi, Illinois and AWHC Stanley G. Robnett of Portales, New Mexico. 

PAO At 194 hours 22 minutes distance is 6509 nautical miles, velocity 21,366 

feet per second.

SC Houston, Apollo 11.

CAPCOM Apollo 11, Houston, go.

SC Roger, the first horizon check 1942306 at a pitch angle of 298 does not 

quite fall on the 31 7 line. It's just a little high. It's within 5 degree (garbled).

CAPCOM Apollo 11, Houston, the horizon check there was supposed to be at 33. 

Over.

SC That's fine, thank you.

CAPCOM Roger.

PAO Helo number 64 is designated Swim Two. If that helicopter is closer than 

Swim One to the landing point swimmers will be deployed from Swim Two to attach the 

collar. Those swimmers are LtJG Wesley T. Chesser of Arlington, Virginia, QM3 

Michael G. Mallary of Alderwood Mannor, Washington, and SN John M. Wolfram of Fort 

Atkinson, Wisconsin. The Helo's crew consists of pilot Lt. Richard J. Barrett of 

Squannanoa, North Carolina, copilot Lt. George Ro. Conn, Imperial Beach, California. 

Crewmen are AWH2 Curtis E. Hill, Black Rock, Arkansas, and AWH2 Richard B. 

Seaton, Hibbing, Minnesota.
6

PA0 Apollo 11's distance now 5411 nautical miles, velocity 22 642 feet per

second.

CAPCOM Apollo 11, Houston. Command module RCS looks fine to us.

SC Same here, Ron, looks very good. Doesn't make as much noise as we 

thought. Some of them are barely audible.

CAPCOM Roger. And 11, Houston. Weather still holding real fine in the recovery 

area. Looks like it's about 1500 scattered, high scattered and it's still 3 to 6 foot waves.

SC The air part of it sounds good.

CAPCOM Roger. 

CAPCOM 11, Houston, I'll give you another mark at 33 minutes. Stand by. Mark.

SC Roger, thanks.

SC Houston, Apollo 11. Do you have any recommended settings to catch the 

sunset? Over.

CAPCOM Roger. We'll, the time is 36 41. And stand by for some settings.

SC Okay, I'll probably only be doing it may be part of it at 6 frames a second, 

some it at 1. So I can be changing settings as it goes through.

CAPCOM Roger, copy.

SC And the horizon check passes. It's right on the money.

CAPCOM Hey, mighty fine, sounds good.

CAPCOM Apollo 11, Houston. On the shooting of the sun, that's 16 at 1 over 250.

SC Understand. That's 16 at 1 over 250.

CAPCOM Roger.

SC And the sun's going down on schedule. It's getting real dark in here.

CAPCOM Fine, Apollo 11. Houston, that copy.

PAO Distance 3896 nautical miles, velocity 24,915 feet per second.
7

PAO And we're about 10 minutes away from the scheduled separation time 

now.

PAO Apollo 11's distance now is 3000 nautical miles, velocity 26,685 feet per 

second. In the next 20 minutes Apollo 11 will add almost 10,000 feet per second to that 

figure.

PAO Technical difficulties have interrupted the radio-TV news pool feed from 

the carrier USS HORNET and also the news writers’ copy feed from that ship.

PAO Guidance Officer reports the command module computer looks good and 

the guidance and navigation system is GO aboard the spacecraft.

CAPCOM Apollo 11, Houston. We see you getting ready for sep. Everything looks 

mighty fine down here.

SC Same here, Ron. Thank you.

PAO We are awaiting confirmation of separation. We confirm separation now 

from on the ground readings from telemetry. We confirm separation.

CAPCOM Apollo 11, Houston. You’re still looking mighty fine from here. You're 

cleared for landing.

SC We appreciate that, Ron, thank you.

SC That’s gears down and locked. 

CAPCOM Roger.

PAO Altitude 1288 nautical miles, velocity 31,232 feet per second.

PAO Flight Director, Milt Windler, has just informed Recovery, "We're on final 

for the carrier."

SC Houston, we've got the service module on 5, a little high and a little bit to 

the right. 

CAPCOM Roger, thank you.

SC And it's rotating just like it should be. Thrusters are firing.

CAPCOM Good, it's got a lot of gas there to burn out, too.

SC Coming across now from right to left.
8

CAPCOM Houston, Roger.

PAO 800 nautical miles high, velocity 33,000 feet per second. Guidance reports 

Apollo 11 right down the middle of the corridor. 7 minutes away from entry.

SC Houston, Apollo 11. You going to turn on the tape recorder shortly?

CAPCOM Hey, 11, Houston. You can go ahead and turn it on.

SC Okay, I'll have to go to command reset to do that.

CAPCOM 11, Houston. That's negative. All you have to do is turn it on. That'll be 

fine.

SC I guess I don't know how to turn it on then. I got PCM metal on lock, record 

forward, high bit rate and barber pole.

CAPCOM 11, Houston. We'll send the on command from down here and see if it 

works. 

SC Okay.

PAO Velocity 34,630 feet per second.

SC And our friend, the moon, whipping by the field of view right now.

CAPCOM Roger, copy.

PAO Velocity coming up on 35,000 feet per second now. 3 minutes to entry. 

Apollo 11 in the proper attitude and...

CAPCOM 11, Houston. We'll have you for about 3 or 4 minutes through Redstone, 

then we'll pick you up after black out through ARIA.

SC Roger.

PAO Apollo 11 lined up right down the middle of the entry corridor. Velocity's 

now 35 578 feet per second. We're a minute and 45 seconds from entry. Black out will 

begin 18 seconds after entry.

 

SC Houston, Apollo 11, I'm going to go to command reset and turn the tape 

on, out.

CAPCOM 11, Houston. Recommend negative on that. That will put us in low bitrate.
9

SC Okay, I already put it to command reset, but they still have barber pole on 

the tape. And my light switch is high bit-rate.

CAPCOM Okay, that will be fine. And 225 there, if you can reach it, Buzz, the last 

two set of records on the second row from the bottom, you can punch those in.

PAO 36,000 feet per second.

CAPCOM And 11, Houston, don't mess around with that 225 there.

SC Okay.

CAPCOM And 11, Houston, you're going over the hill there shortly. You're looking 

mighty fine to us.

SC See you later.

PAO We're at entry time. Blackout very shortly. Range to go to splash 1533 

nautical miles. There's blackout. This blackout period should last for about 3 minutes

45 seconds. At blackout we were showing velocity 36,237 feet per second. Range to go 

to splash 1510 nautical miles. The elapse time for end of blackout 195 hours 7 minutes 

even. Drogue shoot deployment time is 195 hours 12 minutes 8 seconds. And the 

Control Center will not attempt to communicate with Apollo 11 after drogue deploy time. 

We will leave the airways clear for the recovery forces. 

PAO ARIA 3 reported a visual contact.

PAO We're at 3 minutes 20 seconds since Entry. Blackout should end about 3 

minutes 53 seconds after entry. We're about 11 minutes away from landing. ARIA 3

is the up range ARIA aircraft.

CAPCOM Apollo 11, Houston through ARIA.

CAPCOM Apollo 11, Houston through ARIA.

CAPCOM Apollo 11, Houston through ARIA 4.

PAO The Hornet reports Air-Boss 1 has visual contact.

CAPCOM Apollo 11, Houston through ARIA, standing by, over.

CAPCOM Apollo 11, Houston, in the blind Air-Boss has a visual contact.

PAO The Hornet now reports a visual contact. Visual contact from the recovery 

ship.
10

PAO Hornet reports momentary visual contact has now disappeared behind 

clouds.

PAO We're 7 minutes, 44 seconds from entry. Drogue shoot deployment 

scheduled for an elapsed time from entry of 9 minutes, 1 second.

CAPCOM Apollo i1, Houston. Standing by for your DSKY reading. Over.

PAO Hawaii rescue 2 reports an S-band contact with the spacecraft.

CAPCOM Apollo 11, Houston. Stand by for your miss distance. Over. 

CAPCOM Apollo 11, Houston. Standing by for your DSKY reading. Over.

SC Drogues.

CAPCOM Apollo I1, Houston. Your DSKY reading, please. Over.

SC Roger. We were (garbled) 69 17.

PAO Apollo 11 reports right on. We take that to mean that the drogues 

deployed on time.

SC 13 30 69 15. 

PAO Apollo 11 should be on main chutes now. Hornet reports a sonic boom a 

short time ago. We're just under four minutes to landing. We will continue to monitor

for any conversations between the spacecraft and recovery forces, but we will not 

initiate a call from now on tor the spacecraft from the control center.

HORNET Apollo 11, Apollo 11. This is Hornet, Hornet. Over.

SC Hello, Hornet, this is Apollo 11 reading you loud and clear. Our position 

133:0, 169:15.

HORNET 11, Hornet, copy. 13301675. Any further data?

SC 330, 169, 15.

PAO Hornet has voice contact. Aircraft reports visual with 3 full chutes.

HORNET What’s your error of splashdown and condition of crew? Over.

SC The condition of crew is 4000, 3500 feet on the way down.

HORNET 11, this is Hornet. Copy. Apollo 11, what's your splashdown error? Over.
11

SC Okay. Our splashdown error is by latitude, longitude, 133016915. That's 

(garbled).

HORNET Roger, out.

PAO Hornet reports spacecraft right on target point.

HELO Okay, Hornet. Apollo 11 in sight.

HORNET Roger. Apollo sighted on chutes.

HELO (Garbled) contact here at 150 holding. (Garbled) ... holding.

HELO 190 holding.

HORNET Hornet, Roger, out.

HELO (Garbled) ...bearing 200. 

SC Apollo 11 at 1500 feet.

HORNET Hornet, Roger, copy, out.

PAO That's Neil Armstrong giving the position report.

HELO Have a visual dead ahead of about a mile and a half.

HELOS (Garbled)

HORNET Hornet. Roger.

HELOS (Garbled) ...the spacecraft.

SWIM 1 Roger, this is Swim 1, Apollo 11.

SC (Garbled) 100 feet.

SWIM 1 Roger, you're looking real good.

HELOS (Garbled)

SWIM 1 Splashdown. Apollo has splashdown.

HORNET Hornet, copy. (Garbled)
12

HELOS (Garbled)

SC (Garbled) splashdown.

SWIM 1 This is Swim 1. The command module is at stable 2, stable 2. Over.

HORNET Hornet. Roger.

AIR BOSS Okay, Hornet. This is Air Boss. Presently we're orbiting your data at 1000 

feet. (Garbled) Roger, out.

HORNET Roger.

PAO Stable 2 is upside down. The flotation bags will right the spacecraft.

SWIM 1 Roger. The module is in stable 2. The dye marker is deployed, and the 

chutes appear to be detached and are downwind from the command module.

HORNET Hornet. Roger.

AIR BOSS Roger, tach at 235 space 135. 235 space 13.

SWIM 1 This is Swim 1. The command module is still in stable 2. The dye marker 

is beginning to trail now just a (garbled). The main chutes are detached and streaming

down wind.

HORNET Hornet, copy.

PAO It normally takes 8 to 10 minutes for the rotation bags to right the 

spacecraft. Swim 1 is getting ready to deploy swimmers.

AIR BOSS This is Air Boss. Recovery 1 and photo 1, go to high frequency.

RECOVERY Roger. Recovery to high frequency.

RECOVERY Roger, Recovery 1.

RECOVERY 4 to 1, 4 to 1, (garbled). Over.

SWIM 1 This is Swim 1. We keep trying to slow it down.

RECOVERY Hornet, copy.

RECOVERY Photo, are you going to pick up (garbled)? 

PHOTO 1 This is Photo 1, roger.
13

ARIA 3 (Garbled) Air Boss 1, this is Hornet bridge. Request commentary if 

available, over.

AIR BOSS Visible trailing (garbled) west at 060 15 knots. (Garbled) 30 degrees to the 

vertical toward the downwind side.

(Several garbled messages.)

AIR BOSS Recovery 1, the drogue chutes shall be clear of all aircraft.

RECOVERY It's a few miles to the north.

AIR BOSS This is Air Boss. We currently have 3 Helos on the scene. The drogue 

chutes have splashed down approximately 1500 yards on a bearing of 240 from the 

command module.

AIR BOSS Hornet, this is Air Boss. Do you copy on the commentary?

RECOVERY This is Hornet, copy affirmative.

PHOTO 1 This is Photo One. The 3 (garbled) is (garbled) ...20 feet and two 

floatation bags are visible at this time (garbled) to go to 4. (garbled) module (garbled)

above the other (garbled) off the vertical axis (;garbled). 

AIR BOSS Hornet, I didn't copy Photo l's full report. Understand two floatation bags 

deployed and in stable 1 now. Is that correct? Over.

PHOTO 1 (Garbled) it is upright, but it isn't (garbled) stable 2.

AIR BOSS Understand still stable 2.

PHOTO 1 (Garbled)

PAO Apollo 11 reported still in stable 2, but gradually righting itself.

RECOVERY Air Boss comment. I am not copying Photo l's relay. Over.

AIR BOSS This is Air Boss 1. Photo 1 says that it is still in stable 2. The bags are 

inflating. It has not absolutely inverted now. It's 70 degrees to the vertical

axis. Still in stable 2.

PHOTO 1 This is Photo 1. The module is now 90 degrees to the vertical axis.

PHOTO 1 This is Photo 1. The command module is stable 1. Floatation bags are 

inflated.
14

PAO Apollo 11 is stable 1 now, stable 1.

PHOTO 1 (Garbled)

HORNET Air Boss 1, this is Hornet Bridge. Say when it is stable 1. Over. 

AIR BOSS (Garbled) stability above the vertical axis is approximately 30 degrees.

HORNET Roger.

HORNET Air Boss, Hornet. Recovery 1 is ready to deploy swimmers in 1 minutes, 

Swim Two, Swim Two. (Garbled)

HORNET (Garbled)

HORNET Hornet, Roger.

RECOVERY (Garbled) is on low mode.

PAO Swimmers to deploy in about 1 minute.

SWIM 2 (Garbled) is in position. (Garbled) we are going to lower the first swimmer.

AIR BOSS Roger, Swim 2 start recovery at once. You are cleared.

RECOVERY Okay, commencing.

SWIM TWO Swim 2 is commencing to put the first swimmer in the water.

PHOTO 1 The hatch of the capsule is now to the up wind position to the first 

swimmer. This is Photo 1. There are no dye markers in the water. The first swimmer 

(garbled)

HORNET This is the Hornet. Did Swim Two drop its first swimmer?

AIR BOSS Yes, affirmative. This is Air Boss. The swimmer is in the water.

PHOTO 1 The swimmer is in the water and he is connecting (garbled) deployed.

AIR BOSS Hornet, the sea anchor has been detached and is deploying. 

HORNET Is deploying. Roger, I copy. Swim 1 now.

· 

SWIM 2 The sea anchor is deployed (garbled)
15

AIR BOSS Roger, copy.

PAO The sea anchor has been deployed by the swimmer.

SC Copy 1, Apollo 11.

PHOTO 1 This is Photo 1. The first swimmer has given us thumbs up. Swimmer 2 is 

standing (garbled) two swimmers and the floatation collar.

AIR BOSS Apollo 11, Air Boss condition of the crew?

SC Air Boss, Apollo 11, everyone inside, our checklist is complete. We’re 

awaiting the swimmers. 

SWIM 2 (Garbled) two swimmers and the floatation collar secured to the command 

module.

AIR BOSS Air Boss, Hornet. What's the condition?

SWIM 2 The crew is excellent. Both checklists have been completed. They are 

ready to take on the swimmers.

SWIM 2 (Garbled) the water.

PAO Three swimmers in the water from Swim Two. Swim Two Helo.

SWIM 2 (Garbled)

AIR BOSS Apollo 11, this is Air Boss. Are you copying a narration or following the 

sequences of recovery operations?

SWIM 2 This is Photo 1. (Garbled)

SC (Garbled) just before that last call. We've just been, just picking up your 

comm now.

SWIM 2 (Garbled) Floatation is collar halfway around the command module.

PAO The crew has reported to Air Boss that they are in excellent condition. 

Floatation collar is about halfway around the spacecraft now.

SWIM 2 The command module (garbled) quite well vertical axis of (garbled) 

downwind 10 degrees. Garbled) floatation collar. The 4 to 1, the uprighting bags, two 

are fully inflated, 1 is partially inflated.

SWIM 1 Air Boss. Are you copying?
16

AIR BOSS Affirmative, Roger.

PHOTO 1 The flotation collar has been attached.

PAO The flotation collar is attached now.

PAO And the collar is inflated.

PHOTO 1 Photo 1, the swimmers have (garbled) for the raft. The lift

has approached.

PAO Air boss reporting the spacecraft riding very smoothly.

HORNET Swan, this is Hornet. Bridge, request the a tach N on top. Over.

PHOTO 1 This is Photo 1. The raft is in the water- 241 degree radial - nine miles. 

The raft is inflated.

PHOTO 1 (Garbled) command module.

PHOTO 1 Photo 1, I repeat very (garbled) from Hornet, 241 radial, 9 miles. Over.

HORNET Hornet Roger.

PHOTO 1 Photo 1, (garbled)

(Garbled) 

AIR BOSS Apollo 11 this is Air Boss 1. We have the command module on radar 

bearing of 244. (garbled) 12 miles. 

PHOTO 1 Second raft is in the water, 75 feet upwind. Raft number 2 is inflated. And 

number 2 is being tethered (garbled).

PHOTO 1 Recovery 1 has moved into position. Standing by to deploy the swimmer.

HORNET Roger. 

PAO Recovery 1 getting ready to deploy the swimmer with the biological 

isolation garments. The other swimmers... 

PHOTO 1 Photo 1, the weather in the area (garbled) the front blowing 2000 feet. 

Appears to be a (garbled). 1 swimmer is in raft number 1 (garble) In raft number 2. The 

third (garbled) deploying the sea anchor.
17

PHOTO 1 Recovery is approaching to drop the swimmer.

 

PHOTO 1 Swimmer is in the water. Swimmer is in raft number 2. Recovery 1 is in 

position standing by to lower the bag of BIGS.

HORNET Roger.

PAO The swimmer with the biological isolation garments is in the raft next to the 

spacecraft. That's Lt. Clancy Hadleburgh of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. He's also

wearing a biological isolation garment.

PHOTO 1 Recovery 1 is in this position lowering the bag of BIGS at this time.

HORNET Roger.

PAO And the Helo is lowering the astronauts BIGS, or biological isolation 

garments to Lt. Hadleburgh.

PHOTO 1 The bag of BIGS is (garbled).

HORNET Roger

PAO And the report is that the bag of BIGS is in raft number 2.

PHOTO 1 The swimmers are unloading the net at this time.

PHOTO 1 This is Photo 1. The bag of BIGS and decontaminant are in raft number 2. 

Module is very stable, very stable. It’s very stable. There's only above the vertical axis, 

(garbled).

HORNET Roger.

HORNET Air Boss, Hornet. What is the present condition of the astronauts?

AIR BOSS Hornet, Air Boss.

HORNET About to determine the present condition of the astronauts. 

AIR BOSS Hello Apollo 11, Air Boss 1. What is your condition?

SC Our condition is all three excellent. We're just fine. Take your time.

HORNET All right.

PAO That was Mike Collins reporting the crew was excellent.
18

PHOTO 1 One swimmer is trying to don, one swimmer in raft No. 1 (garbled).

HORNET All right, we copy. BIG swimmer preparing to don BIG suit. One swimmer 

in raft with full suit. What are the other swimmers doing?

PHOTO 1 This is Photo 1. The other two swimmers are (garbled) assisting. Over.

PAO Lt. Hadleberg putting on his biological isolation garment.

PHOTO 1 The visibility is in vicinity BIG 15 miles.

HORNET Roger,

AIR BOSS Photo 1, this is Air Boss. (Garbled)

PHOTO 1 This is Photo 1. The winds are from 065 or 060, 20 knots, from to 6 feet. 

Over.

HORNET Roger.

PHOTO 1 This is Photo 1. The BIG swimmer is making adjustments to his garment. 

He has his helmet on, has it right to his shoulders. He's trying to zip it up at this time.

HORNET Roger.

PAO The ship reports it is now 7 miles from the spacecraft.

SWIM I This is Swimmer 1. The BIG swimmer is (garbled) at this time.

RECOVERY (Garbled) What’s position of the sea dye marker?

SWIM 1 This is Swimmer 1, reported earlier there was no dye marker (garbled). 

(Garbled exchanges between RECOVERY and SWIMMER 1)

SWIM 1 (Garbled) the command module.

RECOVERY (Garbled) This is Air Boss (garbled).

SC This is Apollo 11. Tell everybody take your sweet time. We're doing just 

fine in here. It's not as stable as the Hornet, but all right.

PHOTO 1 This is Photo 1. Apollo 11 reports everything is fine. Not as stable as the 

Hornet but almost. Over.

RECOVERY Hornet. Roger.
19

PHOTO 1 This is Photo 1. Raft number 2 is within 10 feet of the command module at 

this time.

PHOTO 1 Roger. Photo 1. BIG swimmer is trying to transfer to raft No. 2 to (garble). 

He’s transferring the (garbled),

PAO Unofficial splash time is 195 hours 18 minutes 21 seconds.

SWIM 1 BIG swimmer is in raft number 1 at this time. We recovered the command 

module (garbled).

PAO Hornet reports the other swimmers are now upwind of the command 

module leaving Lt. Hadleberg in his BIG and with the decontaminant that will be placed

around the hatch and on the... 

SWIM 1 The BIG swimmer is securing (garbled). The BIG swimmer is transferring 

the (garbled).

PAO Lt. Hadleberg is now transferring the BIGS to the crew.

SWIM 1 (Garbled) 

PAO The Hornet now estimates they are 4 3/4 miles away from the spacecraft.

SWIMMER 1 (Garbled) 

PAO The BIGS are in the command module and the hatch has been closed 

again.

RECOVERY (Garbled) over.

SWIMMER 1 (Garbled) 

PAO Lt. Hadleberg is called the BIG swimmer.

SWIM 1 This is Swimmer 1. The BIG swimmer is commencing normal procedures 

on the command module.

PAO The BIG swimmer is now spraying the hatch area and the top deck and 

around the hatch on the command module with the decontaminant.

HORNET Apollo 11, this is Hornet. We'red4 miles out, making our approach. 

(garbled) at this time.

PAO The Hornet advises the crew they are four miles away.
20

SWIM 1 This is Swimmer 1. The BIG swimmer has attached the flotation collar and 

is now in raft No. 1.

SWIM 1 This is Swimmer No. 1. The BIG swimmer is still in raft No. 1.

HORNET Swimmer 1, Hornet. Understand BIG swimmer has completed his 

decontamination of the command module. Is that correct?

SWIM 1 This is Swimmer 1 (garbled) on the flotation collar.

HORNET Roger.

PHOTO 1 Photo 1, Hornet I passed from Pacific Chief. You are cutting out. You may 

be releasing your teeth too early on transmissions. Over.

SWIM 1 This is Swimmer 1. Roger. Out.

PAO Hornet reports it was 13 miles along the aim point at splash. The carrier 

was 13 miles from the aim point at splash.

SWIM 1 This is Swimmer 1. Earlier (garbled) made preparations to commence.

RECOVERY Roger.

SWIM 1 This is Swimmer 1, the BIG swimmer (garbled). 

PAO The BIG swimmer has reported communicating with the astronauts by 

visual hand signals through the hatch window.

SC Photo 1, on the (garbled).

SWIM 1 Photo 1. The astronauts have opened the hatch. The first astronaut got 

out of the hatch. The first astronaut, (garbled).

SWIMMER Photo 1, the...

PAO The first astronaut is now emerging....

SWIM (Garbled)

SWIM (Garbled) Okay, upwind.

SWIM This is (garbled). This is Photo I the position very shortly. Position 

(garbled) report on the first astronaut is up.
21

HORNET Roger.

SWIM Photo 1.

PAO Astronaut number 2 coming up the hatch now. 

SWIM The second one. That is (garbled). The third astronaut is out of the hatch.

PAO And the third crewmen is out of the spacecraft now.

SWIM (Garbled)

PAO Hatch is closed and secured.

SWIM Every crewman out All the astronauts (garbled) 

HORNET Roger.

PAO Hornet now reports that the swimmer is having some difficulty securing the 

hatch and one of the astronauts is helping him. 

SWIM (Garbled) locked (garbled) are in. (Garbled) Report hatch secure. All 

three astronauts are out. (garbled)

PAO Hatch is now supported secure.

SWIM Photo 1 (garbled). 

PAO Hornet now 1 1⁄4 miles from the spacecraft.

SWIM (Garbled)

SWIM (Garbled) This is Photo 1 (garbled) decontaminant on the upper portion of 

the command module.

HORNET Roger.

SWIM (Garbled)

PAO And the Lt. Hadleberg sprayed decontaminate around the hatch.

SWIM (Garbled) the decontaminate spraying on the forward portion of the, the 

CM. 

HORNET Hornet. Roger. 
22

SWIM I am now scrubbing (garble)

HORNET Roger.

PAO And the swimmer now scrubbing down the command module with the 

decontaminant.

SWIM Photo 1 (garbled). I have completed scrubbing the command module. 

(garbled) the first and the second astronaut.

PAO The swimmer has now started scrubbing the astronauts’ biological 

isolations garments with the decontaminant.

SWIM (Garbled) is complete. And now I'm scrubbing the shoulders of the first 

astronaut.

PAO Hornet estimates distance three-quarters of a mile now.

SWIM Hornet, swimmer is scrubbing the arm and shoulders of the first astronaut.

HORNET Hornet. Roger.

SWIM 1 The first astronaut is now having his BIG put on him.

HORNET Hornet Roger.

SWIM 1 The swimmer has completed decontaminating the first astronaut. 

HORNET Hornet, over.

SWIM 1 Coming to the BIG for the second astronaut. 

PAO And the first astronaut has been scrubbed down and the swimmer has 

started the decontamination processes on the BIG of the second astronaut.

SWIM I (Garbled)

HORNET Hornet. Roger.

SWIM 1 The swimmer has scrubbed the front side of the second astronaut. He is 

now (garbled). 

HORNET Roger.

SWIM 1 Swim 1. The BIG swimmer has completed scrubbing the (garbled).
23

HORNET Roger.

PAO Scrub down on the second astronaut completed.

HORNET Hornet. Roger.

SWIM 1 This is Swim 1. The swimmer is Scrubbing the (garbled) of the third 

astronaut.

HORNET Hornet. Roger.

SWIM 1 The swimmer is scrubbing the arms, shoulder and head of the third 

astronaut.

HORNET Hard to see, isn't it?

HORNET Swim 1. You cut out. Say again.

SWIM 1 (Garbled) says stand by for a call from the recovery (garbled).

HORNET Roger.

SWIM 1 This is Swim 1. The third astronaut has been scrubbed. (Garbled).

HORNET Hornet. Roger.

PAO And the third astronaut has been scrubbed down and now the astronauts 

are scrubbing down the swimmer.

SWIM 1 The swimmer 1 is the ready position and standing by for completion of the 

decontamination maneuver.

HORNET Hornet. Roger.

SWIM 1 This is Swim 1. The (garbled).

HORNET Roger.

SWIM 1 Swim 1 has the astronaut 1 and 2 are still in the (garbled).

HORNET Hornet. Roger.

SWIM 1 Swim 1. The (garbled).

HORNET Hornet. Roger
24

SWIM 1 This is Swimmer 1. Decontamination of the BIG swimmer is complete. 

The BIG swimmer is now decontaminating raft number 1.

HORNET Roger.

SWIM 1 The BIG swimmer has given the signal to the swimming team upwind to 

prepare to close the command module.

HORNET All right.

PAO The other swimmers will now proceed to the command module. It has 

been decontaminated, and the swimmers will remain on their scuba air.

PHOTO 1 Photo 1, Hornet. We request you reconfirm that they are decontaminating 

raft number 1.

HORNET All right. Photo 1, that is affirmative. Decontaminating raft number 1. The 

others (garbled.)

 

PHOTO 1 Photo 1, Roger, out.

HORNET Photo 1, raft number 2 is now closing the command module. All 3 

swimmers are on board on scuba.

PHOTO1 Photo 1, Roger.

RECOVERY Recovery 1. (Garbled) position. Standing by.

HORNET Rog.

SWIM 1 The raft number 2 are at the command module. The swimmers are taking 

their positions.

HORNET Roger.

RECOVERY Recovery 1 is commencing, his approach.

HORNET Hornet, copy.

SWIM 1 Raft 1 is riding very smooth.

HORNET Hornet. Roger.

SWIM 1 This is Swimmer 1. The astronauts are in a cheerful mood. They are 

waving at the photographers. (Garbled)
25

AIR BOSS Photo 1, Hornet understand recovery is making approach to pick up the 

first astronaut?

PHOTO 1 This is Photo 1. He's in position ready to commence recovery. Over.

AIR BOSS Roger.

PHOTO 1 Hornet, this is Photo 1. Recovery 1 is commencing his first approach.

AIR BOSS Hornet. Roger.

PAO And Recovery 1 going in now to pick up the first astronaut.

PHOTO 1 This is Photo 1. The net is being lowered.

AIR BOSS Roger.

PHOTO 1 This is Photo 1. The net is at the raft. The first astronaut is climbing into 

the net, and the first astronaut is in the net on the way up clear of the command module. 

The first astronaut is half way up. The first astronaut is at the hatch.

 

AIR BOSS Roger. 

PHOTO 1 The first astronaut is in the helicopter, the net is on its way down.

AIR BOSS Roger.

PHOTO 1 Recovery 1 is commencing his second approach. The net is at the raft, the 

second astronaut is in the net and is on his way up clear of the command module.

AIR BOSS Roger.

PHOTO 1 The net is at the hatch. The second astronaut is in the helicopter.

AIR BOSS Roger.

PHOTO 1 The net is on its way down, Recovery 1 is making a third approach.

AIR BOSS Roger.

PHOTO 1 The net is at the raft. The third astronaut is climbing in the net. The third 

astronaut is in the net and on his way up clear of the command module. The third 

astronaut is half way up. The third astronaut is in the hatch, he is climbing in the 

helicopter.

AIR BOSS Roger.
26

PHOTO 1 All three astronauts are aboard.

AIR BOSS Roger, Photo 1.

PHOTO 1 Roger, this is Photo 1. The hatch on the Recovery 1 is closed.

RECOVERY This is Recovery 1. I have 3 astronauts aboard. Switching power 

frequency, power frequency.

AIR BOSS Roger (garbled)

SWIM 2 This is Swim 2 alongside the command module. The BIG swimmer 

decontaminating the module. (Garbled)

PAO Mission Director George Hage has just thanked the flight controllers 

assembled here in the Control Center on behalf of himself and General Phillips for the 

way in which they conducted this mission.

AIR BOSS Stand by Swim 1 and 3. This is Air Boss. I haven't seen any more of the 2 

drogue chutes nor the apex chute.

PAO No cigars being lit up here yet. We're waiting until the crew is on the 

carrier. A few are being wetted in anticipation of a match, but we don't see any lit

yet.

PAO The elevator will take Recovery 1 down to the hangar deck and where the 

crew will enter the mobile quarantine facility. And the flags are waving and the cigars 

are being lit up. And clear across the big board in front is President John F. Kennedy's 

message to Congress of May, 1961: I believe that this nation should commit itself to 

achieving the goal before this decade is out of landing a man on the moon and returning 

him safely to Earth. That has been accomplished.

PAO The Apollo 11 plaque has been hung in the Mission Control Center, a 

replica of the crew patch.