Apollo 9 – NASA Mission To The Moon

Introduction

Explore the remarkable journey of NASA’s Apollo 9 mission, a pivotal yet often overlooked chapter in the history of lunar exploration. This article delves into the intricate details of the mission, from its launch in March 1969 to its successful return to Earth.

Discover the significant roles of astronauts James McDivitt, David Scott, and Rusty Schweickart, and learn about the groundbreaking tests and procedures they carried out. Apollo 9 was the first mission to simultaneously fly all three main components of a Moon lander, setting the stage for future lunar missions.

Uncover the mission’s key objectives, notable achievements, and the enduring legacy of the spacecraft. This comprehensive guide offers an in-depth look at one of NASA’s most crucial missions, paving the way for the historic Apollo 11 lunar landing.

Nasa’s Apollo 9 mission might be the most important but least celebrated of the early Apollo missions. Apollo 9 was the first mission where all three of the main components of a Moon lander.

The Saturn V, The Command Service Module (CSM), and The Lunar Excursion Module (LEM) flew simultaneously, and the first time that NASA could thoroughly rehearse the launch of a lunar mission.

Crew of Apollo 9: Left to right: McDivitt, Scott, Schweickart. Credit: NASA.
The crew of Apollo 9: Left to right: McDivitt, Scott, Schweickart. Credit: NASA.
Apollo 9 lifting off. Credit: NASA.
Apollo 9 is lifting off. Credit: NASA.

Apollo 9 was launched in March 1969. It was the third in NASA’s Apollo program (See all the Apollo Patches here) to place an American Astronaut on the Moon’s surface by the end of the decade.

The crew of Apollo 9. Credit NASA. Astronauts: James McDivitt, David Scott, Rusty Schweickart.

In 1969, on March 13, Apollo 9 returned to Earth after 151 orbits – 10 days, 1 hour, and 1 minute. And The Command Module splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean Northeast of Puerto Rico and about 3.1 miles from the target point.

The capsule and crew were all recovered by divers and helicopters from the aircraft carrier USS Guadalcanal.

Altitude chamber test runs #3 and #4 with Apollo 9 prime and backup crews in the MSOB, KSC.
Altitude chamber test runs #3 and #4 with Apollo 9 prime and backup crews in the MSOB, KSC.

Safety of the Earth’s Orbit

Apollo 9 mission Commander Jim McDivitt, Lunar Module Pilot (LMP) Rusty Schweickart, and Command Module Pilot (CMP) Dave Scott were in charge of working through a full lunar landing mission in the (relative) safety of Earth orbit.

NASA’s Apollo 9 mission would test spacewalk procedures and other crew factors. These were all declared in the mission press kit.

Spider on the S-IVB Credit: NASA
Spider on the S-IVB
Credit: NASA.

Apollo IX Mission Objectives

The main goal of Apollo 9 was an Earth-orbital engineering test of the first crewed lunar module or LM. Other prime goals involved an overall checkout of the launch vehicle and spacecraft systems, procedures, and crew and procedures.

It was done by implementing a combined series of flight tasks with the command module (CM) and the service module (SM).

The joined command and service module (CSM), the LM and S-IVB stage, were also linked in the launch of several docked configurations while they were flying separately.

The LM was to be tested as a self-sufficient spacecraft. And it was also to perform active rendezvous and docking procedures correlating to those scheduled for the next Apollo 10 lunar orbit mission.

Apollo 9 Astronaut Rusty Schweickart outside the LEM Credit: NASA.
Apollo 9 Astronaut Rusty Schweickart outside the LEM
Credit: NASA.

Apollo 9’s Top Priority

The top priority of the flight plan was the CSM and LM rendezvous and docking. It was performed twice – once while the LM was still attached to the S-IVB and when the LM was active.

Additional goals incorporated internal crew transfer from the docked CSM to the LM, special tests of the LM’s support systems, crew procedures, analyses of flight equipment and EVA, or the extravehicular activity, mobility unit.

The crew also configured the LM to support a two-hour EVA and simulated an LM crew rescue, which was the only planned EVA from the LM before an actual lunar landing.

Spider in lunar landing configuration Credit: NASA.
Spider in lunar landing configuration
Credit: NASA.

Apollo 9 Lunar-Orbit Rendezvous Procedures

To try to simulate a lunar-orbit rendezvous and backup abort procedures. The LM descent and ascent engines fired on orbital change patterns.

The CSM service propulsion system (SPS) fired five times, including a simulation of an active meeting to try to rescue an LM that had become inactivated.

After the separation of the CSM from the SLA in Earth orbit and the jettison of the SLA’s LM protective panels, the CSM was to perform a transposition maneuver to dock with the exposed LM. Both docked modules were to separate.

And the spacecraft was to adjust its orbit 2,000 feet away from the S-IVB stage. The S-IVB engine should restart twice, placing the stage in an Earth-escape trajectory and into solar orbit.

The Ascent Module Apollo 9. Credit: NASA.
The Ascent Module Apollo 9.
Credit: NASA.

Simulate Translunar Injection

This would simulate a translunar injection of the stage for Apollo 10 and subsequent lunar missions. More objectives involved the multi-spectral photographic experiment for the following crewed spacecraft.

All major spacecraft systems were successfully demonstrated. And all prime mission objectives were met. The rare off-nominal conditions that occurred did not affect the achievement of the significant goals.

Apollo 9 crew training in the Command Module. Credit: NASA.
Apollo 9 crew training in the Command Module.
Credit: NASA.

Achievements Made by Apollo 9

Apollo 9 had an impressive list of achievements.

  • It established the Lunar Module was qualified for operations and that the crew could handle it in space.
  • And it was the first time crew had transported between two docked spacecraft.
  • It was also the first time that two people had gone on EVA at the same time.
  • And lastly, it proved that the two craft could operate together under flight conditions.
Apollo 9 returning to Earth. Credit: NASA.
Apollo 9 returns to Earth.
Credit: NASA.

The Service Module Burned Up

Apollo 9 Command Module is on exhibit at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. The Service Module burned up overhead the Atlantic soon after the crew splashed down. Meantime, the Lunar Module’s descent stage plunged into the atmosphere on March 22, 1969.

The ascent stage remained in orbit until October 23, 1981, and The S-IVB is still orbiting the Sun and will continue to do so for many centuries.

Apollo 9 Crew. Credit: NASA.
Apollo 9 Crew. Credit: NASA.
The Apollo 9 Saturn V, S-IC-4, was acceptance fired at Mississippi Test Facility – now known as NASA Stennis Space Center. It happened on May 16, 1967. Credit: NASA.
The Apollo 9 Saturn V, S-IC-4, was acceptance fired at Mississippi Test Facility – now known as NASA Stennis Space Center. It happened on May 16, 1967. Credit: NASA.
In 1966, S-IVB contractor McDonnell Douglas completed factory checkout of the S-IVB-504 flight stage used on Apollo 9 in Huntington Beach, California. Credit: NASA.
In 1966, S-IVB contractor McDonnell Douglas completed factory checkout of the S-IVB-504 flight stage used on Apollo 9 in Huntington Beach, California. Credit: NASA.

Conclusion

The most crucial aspect of Apollo 9 was that all the elements of the Apollo program were finally in place. The CSM, LEM, and Saturn V were all okayed for the Moon. The way was now formally cleared for the lunar orbit’s final performance that would lead to the Apollo 11 landing in July 1969.

I hope you enjoyed this short article about Apollo 9. Check out this new article that reveals the Apollo Saturn V rocket’s inside and its significant components. See for yourself these fantastic drawings. You will be amazed.

FAQ

  1. What was the significance of NASA’s Apollo 9 mission? Apollo 9 was a crucial mission in NASA’s Apollo program. It was the first mission where all three main components of a Moon lander – The Saturn V, The Command Service Module (CSM), and The Lunar Excursion Module (LEM) – flew simultaneously. This mission allowed NASA to thoroughly rehearse the launch of a lunar mission.
  2. Who were the crew members of the Apollo 9 mission? The Apollo 9 mission was manned by astronauts James McDivitt, David Scott, and Rusty Schweickart. They were responsible for working through a full lunar landing mission in the safety of Earth’s orbit.
  3. What were the main objectives of the Apollo 9 mission? The primary goal of Apollo 9 was an Earth-orbital engineering test of the first crewed lunar module. Other objectives included an overall checkout of the launch vehicle and spacecraft systems, procedures, and crew and procedures. The mission also aimed to test the Lunar Module as a self-sufficient spacecraft and perform active rendezvous and docking procedures.
  4. What were the achievements of the Apollo 9 mission? Apollo 9 had several significant achievements. It established that the Lunar Module was qualified for operations and that the crew could handle it in space. It was also the first time that two people had gone on EVA at the same time and that the crew had transported between two docked spacecraft.
  5. What happened to the Apollo 9 spacecraft after the mission? The Apollo 9 Command Module is on exhibit at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. The Service Module burned up over the Atlantic soon after the crew splashed down. The Lunar Module’s descent stage plunged into the atmosphere on March 22, 1969. The ascent stage remained in orbit until October 23, 1981, and the S-IVB is still orbiting the Sun and will continue to do so for many centuries.

If you’re intrigued by the journey of the Apollo 9 mission and its Lunar Module, you might also be interested in exploring the story of the most famous Lunar Module of all. Discover the fascinating legacy and fate of the Apollo 11 Lunar Module in our detailed article, The Legacy of Apollo 11: What Happened to the Lunar Module?

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