The Risky Path to the Moon: The Apollo 11 Crew’s Close Calls

Introduction

In 1969, the Apollo 11 mission achieved the historic feat of landing the first humans on the Moon and safely bringing them back to Earth.

However, this success was not without peril. The journey to the Moon was fraught with danger, and the astronauts underwent rigorous training to prepare for the mission.

In particular, they practiced landing the lunar module, a task that proved to be one of the most difficult.

Despite the risks, the astronauts persevered, and their efforts paid off. However, it was only after the mission that the full extent of the danger they had faced became clear.

Training and Close Calls

  • Prior to the Apollo 11 mission, astronauts underwent a rigorous training program, which included dangerous exercises such as piloting the Lunar Landing Research Vehicle (LLRV), also known as the “flying bedstead.”
  • During a test flight of the LLRV, Neil Armstrong lost control of the vehicle and barely escaped with his life.
  • Despite the close call, Armstrong and his team continued to prepare for the mission, which ultimately proved successful.
  • During the Apollo 11 mission, there were several close calls that could have resulted in tragedy, including an unexpected overload of the flight computer and a crater that hindered the landing.
  • Science journalist and author Nancy Atkinson discovered that the crew also faced a severe anomaly during reentry to Earth, which went unnoticed until weeks after the mission. (Book authored by Nancy Atkinson: Eight Years to the Moon: The History of the Apollo Missions.
  • The anomaly was caused by a glitch that caused the service module to chase the crew’s capsule during descent, posing a collision risk. This same glitch was also present during the Apollo 8 and Apollo 10 missions but went unnoticed by the crews.

Conclusion

The Apollo 11 mission was a monumental achievement in human history, but it was not without risk. The astronauts who made the journey underwent grueling training and faced several close calls along the way.

It was only after the mission that the full extent of the danger they had faced became clear, but their courage and determination ultimately led to a successful outcome.

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If you’re interested in exploring more about the Apollo 11 mission, don’t miss our article featuring the first-ever clear image of Neil Armstrong’s face on the moon, which captures an extraordinary moment in space history.

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