Apollo 15

## Mission Patch

**Apollo 15** was an October 1971 lunar mission by NASA to scout for a permanent Moon base and possibly find water ice in lunar craters. It consisted of mission commander Ed Baldwin, CSM pilot Frank Sedgewick, and new female astronaut and LEM pilot Molly Cobb, who became the first American woman on the Moon.

The CSM of Apollo 15 was called *Endeavour* while the LEM was called *Seahawk*. The designated landing site was Mare FrigorisW at the far north of the Moon.

## History

Ed was initially removed from the program after commenting to the press about the lost Moon race. However, he was let back onto the mission after testifying to congress. Gordo Stevens was promised a spot for Apollo 15 if he complied to his wife Tracy joining the new program to train woman astronauts. However, after 4 female astronauts had been trained and presented to the press by Deke Slayton, he was later replaced by Molly Cobb. Apollo 15 was launched on October 15, 1971. CAPCOM for the mission was Fred Talmadge.

While in lunar orbit, they made spectroscopies of the surface. After analyzing them, the crew was informed that NASA geologist Ray Schumer and his team expect an up to 500 times higher ice concentration around Shackleton Crater at the lunar south pole. Ed wanted them to change the plan and land there, however, flight director Gene Kranz gave this a big thumbs down, as this would be over 4000 km from the planned place and too big of a risk, also they wouldn't have the gear for that kind of exploration. He wanted to re-task Apollo 16 for Shackleton and have them land at Mare Frigoris as planned.

However, NASA Administrator Thomas Paine put pressure on Gene and Deke as he wanted them to land where the ice is and not wait for 16, because the CIA would have indication that the Soviets plan to place military assets on the Moon, and president Nixon would therefore want an American Moon base as soon as possible. Deke said that is was up to the crew to decide. After some discussions, *Seahawk* landed on the rim of Shackleton Crater, close to the future location of the Jamestown base.

On day 2 on the lunar surface, Ed and Molly went to the crator with the objective of trying to find water ice. Missing appropriate equipment, Molly was let down to the crater on a makeshift winch from the rover. Just before her oxygene was nearly used up, she successfully found some ice and saved it in a plastic bag to bring it back to Earth.

After 3 days on the Moon, *Seahawk* was lifting off, met with Sedge waiting with *Endeavour* in orbit, and the crew flew back home.

## Galleries

### Images

Photo shooting of the crewApollo 15 on its rampLaunchT-shirts sold at launch dayWayne & Karen watchingAleida Rosales watching launchApollo 15 LEMMolly Cobb on the lunar surfaceUsing the rover as a winch for MollyMolly presenting the water iceApollo 15 leg plaque.
### Video

For All Mankind - Apollo 15 Landing On The MoonApollo 15 landing on the Moon
## Behind the scenes

* The patch of this mission was similar to the patch of the real mission.

## See also

* Apollo program
* Comparison of show's and real Apollo missions

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 *For All Mankind* TV Series - Season 1, Episode 5: "Into the Abyss"
2. ↑ *For All Mankind* TV Series - Season 1, Episode 1: "Red Moon"
3. ↑ *For All Mankind* TV Series - Season 1, Episode 2: "He Built the Saturn V"
4. ↑ *For All Mankind* TV Series - Season 1, Episode 3: "Nixon's Women"
5. ↑ *For All Mankind* TV Series - Season 1, Episode 4: "Prime Crew"