The spacecraft breaks out of Earth orbit and establishes a translunar trajectory, or path toward the Moon. This is the single longest phase of the mission. The data retreived from the probe is vital to the selection of a landing site in the final stages of the mission. Teams identify and discuss internal communication and procedure problems, and decide which tasks to begin with as the second half of the mission begins. The translunar phase concludes, and the spacecraft enters a stable lunar parking orbit at an altitude of 60 miles above the Moon's surface.
All teams return to their assigned tasks.
Once a landing site is selected and the coordinates and engine firing parameters are verified, the final lunar landing sequence begins. Upon landing, crewmembers view the terrain surrounding the landing vehicle and discuss their observations. The Mission Control and Spacecraft crews gather their valuable data, clean up their stations in preparation for the next crew, and are once again reunited in the briefing room. The combined crew reviews the key events of the mission, the essential skills and tools leading to the missions success, and some ideas for further exploration in the classroom.