How Long Were Apollo Missions?

NASA’s Apollo Program represented their attempt to place astronauts on the Moon. This massive undertaking involved numerous people – astronauts, mission controllers, engineers and scientists among them.

On their journey to and from the Moon, astronauts used a Command Module. When landing, they took shelter in an inflatable lunar module which could accommodate two astronauts at once.

Apollo 1 – 16

Though Apollo may seem to have been led solely by men – including its astronauts and mission controllers- women were integral parts of its success. Secretary, nurses, mathematicians and programmers all played key roles in assisting scientists and engineers who worked on it to make its missions possible.

Mercury and Gemini programs were vital in preparing NASA for Apollo, which involved sending one-person crews into orbit to test maneuvers and equipment essential to landing on the moon. On Apollo 13, an oxygen tank exploded 56 hours into flight, crippling their craft; yet Jim Lovell, Fred Haise, and Jack Swigert managed to return safely thanks to careful planning, improvisation and using their lunar module as a lifeboat.

Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made history during Apollo 11 when they became the first two astronauts to set foot on the lunar surface for more than 22 hours and 15 minutes, in total. Additionally, they accomplished several scientific milestones during their stay.

Apollo 17 – 24

Apollo 17 made history when its crew set foot on the moon, led by Command Module Pilot Gene Cernan and Lunar Module Pilot Harrison Schmitt who walked on its surface while Orbiter Pilot Ronald Evans circled above. This mission included one of its greatest successes for science: providing EVA access for professional geologists for EVA analysis on lunar surface terrain.

The astronauts landed in Hadley-Apennine region of the Moon and collected 77 kilograms of samples over three days of work in Hadley-Apennine region, also driving Lunar Roving Vehicle and installing Laser Ranging Retroreflector.

Before their return to the CSM, Armstrong and Aldrin exchanged handshakes and exchanged greetings of good luck amidst cheers from one million people on Earth. Armstrong announced: “Let’s get this mother outta here.” The mission had been successful, paving the way for 5 additional lunar landings later on in 1969 and 1972.

Apollo 18 – 27

The Apollo program led NASA’s astronauts to the moon, while providing us with an expanded view of our universe. Although a significant undertaking and sacrifice were required, this undertaking ultimately paid dividends.

NASA’s Mercury program marked the initial step on our path toward lunar exploration, running from 1959-1963 and sending one-person crews into orbit for tests of maneuvers and components required for lunar landing.

On Jan. 27, 1967, during a routine launch pad simulation in Florida, an Apollo capsule caught fire, killing astronauts Gus Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chaffee. This tragic event forced NASA to review all aspects of their Apollo program; yet also led them to create the Gemini program, enabling astronauts to fly close to the moon while photographing its surface from space.

Apollo 29 – 40

Armstrong and Aldrin conducted one moonwalk, during which they deployed science experiments, displayed the American flag, read from a plaque, collected rocks samples, took photographs of lunar terrain and reported on their progress back on Earth for geologists.

Even amid its many obstacles, Apollo continued to advance. Unfortunately, however, on January 27, 1967 a fire in Apollo’s command module during a launch pad test killed its crew, dealing a serious blow to the program.

Reworked Apollo programs would go on to successfully land nine missions; but not without cost. While media coverage might paint an inaccurate portrait, thousands of women worked behind-the-scenes to make these Apollo missions happen and continue benefitting us today.

Apollo 41 – 53

The Apollo program experienced its fair share of difficulties, such as the tragic accident that claimed Apollo 1 crewmembers on January 27, 1967; nevertheless, sufficient flight hardware remained to send nine additional astronauts back to the Moon for geological and astrophysical exploration.

After conducting a comprehensive system check of Eagle, Armstrong and Aldrin left their command module and launched their inaugural lunar surface EVA. Ranging up to 300 feet away from their LM, Armstrong and Aldrin set out their experiments such as seismometer deployment for early Apollo scientific investigations.

While Gemini and Apollo astronauts listened to various musical genres, Neil Armstrong brought with him a Russian-made Theremin that he played on the moon much to Charles Duke’s amusement – his exuberance setting the tone for future Moonwalkers – 530 million people watched on television as Armstrong declared “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind!”

Apollo 52 – 58

Though Apollo astronauts and mission controllers were all male, thousands of women assisted behind-the-scenes. This support included sewing the astronauts’ spacesuits, running computer programs and winding wires for guidance systems.

Walter Schirra, Donn Eisele and Walter Cunningham spent 10 days aboard Apollo 7 spacecraft, performing numerous experiments while broadcasting a live TV program from space. Additionally, they created history by making history themselves!

Apollo 8, the inaugural full circumnavigation mission, marked a historic achievement. Armstrong and Aldrin skipped their two-hour rest period due to an exhaustive checklist before their EVA, instead calling Houston from Tranquility Base lunar module and landing safely at Meteor Crater – it was an unforgettable moment!

Apollo 63 – 69

NASA’s Apollo program followed Mercury and Gemini missions that tested human spaceflight technology, with President John F Kennedy’s vision being realized if humans could successfully explore outer space and work there. It would demonstrate humanity could explore new frontiers and work on their own in outer space.

On July 20, 1969, Armstrong and Aldrin untethered Eagle from Columbia while Michael Collins remained behind to fly their landing mission, landing near what became known as the Sea of Tranquility on the lunar surface.

Following their lunar landing, astronauts quickly returned to the command module via lunar module and started traveling back towards Earth, encountering debris left from reentry that had fallen off during reentry. It marked an historic turning point in history and led to a worldwide boom of technology ranging from space-worthy materials to consumer microwaves.

Apollo 71 – 81

Apollo spacecraft utilized two modules to transport astronauts between Earth and the Moon: the command module with crew quarters and flight controls and lunar module that carried astronauts directly onto its surface. Furthermore, each Apollo spacecraft also contained a service module providing propulsion systems and support services.

On Apollo 11 Neil Armstrong took “one small step for man, one giant leap for humanity” as 530 million viewers watched television coverage. This mission’s success allowed NASA to shift their priorities toward science.

Apollo 16’s Commander John Young and Lunar Module Pilot Charles Duke spent over 71 hours exploring three moonwalks, collecting 209 pounds of samples over three moonwalks. It also marked the first use of a lunar rover which gave more freedom than previous missions for collecting samples from lunar orbit.

Apollo 82 – 84

The Apollo program marked several significant spaceflight milestones and pioneered many innovations related to rocketry and human spaceflight. For instance, it marked the first use of a large Saturn V launch vehicle with crew capsules designed specifically to transport astronauts for week-long lunar voyages.

Armstrong and Aldrin carried out a successful system check of Eagle before undocking, climbing down its ladder and setting foot onto the lunar surface for their two and half hour moonwalk. While on their walk they deployed science experiments, photographed their surroundings, read an inscription plaque and collected rock samples for return to Earth. Once back at Eagle they mis-programmed their flight computer causing violent rolling of their vehicle before returning back home – with further rolling it would have collided into its intended target: the Moon itself!

Apollo 89 – 93

Details President John F. Kennedy set forth in 1961 an ambitious national goal: landing humans on the Moon and safely returning them back home again. Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt completed this goal successfully by spending 71 hours exploring Descartes Highlands region while collecting over 115.5 kilograms of samples during this mission.

The mission began with an accelerated flight schedule that enabled Frank Borman, James Lovell and William Anders to reach lunar orbit before returning home. After 10 days in space they docked the Columbia command module with Eagle lunar module and deployed various experiments on the lunar surface. Around two and a half hours later Armstrong emerged from Eagle and deployed his TV camera for transmission back home; shortly thereafter Aldrin joined him; they both completed their checklist before returning together back into Columbia LM.