The rocket rises into the sky. In three minutes, Apollo 11 vanishes from sight. Before liftoff, the crew had named the LM the Eagle and the command module Columbia . For three days they fly with Columbia and the Eagle nose to nose. Millions of people watch the live television broadcast from inside Columbia .
Excitement is high.
When they get near the moon, the astronauts have to fire Columbia 's engine to slow down. They successfully enter orbit 65 miles above a full moon. Read our Privacy Policy Statement .