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The manned Mercury and Gemini Programs were the technological warm-ups for the Apollo program. Each element of these programs tested the viability of an extended, manned mission to the moon. Seven Apollo mission types were outlined, each testing a specific set of components and tasks, each step needed to be completed successfully before the next mission type could begin. In total, the Apollo program launched 11 manned missions.
To prepare for the journey to the moon, the Apollo program's two Earth orbiting missions, Apollos 7 and 9, tested the service command and lunar modules. These successful missions led to two lunar orbiting missions, Apollos 8 and 10.
These missions tested crew, space vehicle and mission support facilities. They tested the command module including communications, tracking and life-support systems. The crews also photographed the lunar surface and evaluated lunar module performance in between the Earth and orbit of the moon. Apollo 10 was a full "dry run" for the moon landing. All operations except the actual lunar landing were performed.
With all the elements of the manned lunar mission successfully tested, Apollo 11 was finally ready to go to the moon.
The Saturn V rocket was used to launch Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins on their circumlunar journey. It was composed of three stages, which separated at various intervals during the journey to the moon.
On approach to the moon, the command service and lunar modules emerged from the final stage of the launch vehicle. A precisely choreographed series of manoeuvres docked the lunar module to the service command module, before they entered lunar orbit. Once in orbit, the lunar module, containing Aldrin and Armstrong left Collins in the command module, as they descended to the surface of the moon and made history.
To prepare for the journey to the moon, the Apollo program's two Earth orbiting missions, Apollos 7 and 9, tested the service command and lunar modules. These successful missions led to two lunar orbiting missions, Apollos 8 and 10.
These missions tested crew, space vehicle and mission support facilities. They tested the command module including communications, tracking and life-support systems. The crews also photographed the lunar surface and evaluated lunar module performance in between the Earth and orbit of the moon. Apollo 10 was a full "dry run" for the moon landing. All operations except the actual lunar landing were performed.
With all the elements of the manned lunar mission successfully tested, Apollo 11 was finally ready to go to the moon.
The Saturn V rocket was used to launch Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins on their circumlunar journey. It was composed of three stages, which separated at various intervals during the journey to the moon.
On approach to the moon, the command service and lunar modules emerged from the final stage of the launch vehicle. A precisely choreographed series of manoeuvres docked the lunar module to the service command module, before they entered lunar orbit. Once in orbit, the lunar module, containing Aldrin and Armstrong left Collins in the command module, as they descended to the surface of the moon and made history.
