Mission Summary: This test will be the second and final use of the Saturn 1B for the Apollo program. It will involve testing the LEM extraction, where the capsule detaches, flips around, and reconnects with the LEM nose to nose to allow crew transfer. In this test though it will just be the second stage fuel tank. The launch procedure will be the same as the last mission. At T-3 seconds, the command for ignition will begin. Once the engine are running at full power and all else in nominal, the vehicle will be released from the pad and the ascent will begin. Once the vehicle reaches and altitude of 1 kilometer or the velocity reaches 100 meters per second, the vehicle will pitch over and continue to do so along a planned curve to create the proper orbit. Once the main stage burns out it will be jettisoned and then the second stage will take over for the rest of the ascent. The computer will then continue the ascent and will automatically insert the vehicle into a stable orbit. Once in orbit the crew module will disconnect from the second stage, turn around, and dock to it again using the nose cone docking port. Once that is done it will undock again and the crew module will return to the surface in the normal manner. The second stage will just burn up like the others.
Liftoff occurs from the launchpad
First stage burns out and the second stage takes over. The vehicle is nearing orbit
The second stage makes the final burn to insert the vehicle into a stable circular orbit and then separates
After undocking and turning around, the capsule prepares to connect to the second stage again
Successful docking of the command module and the second stage, they separate again shortly after.
The Apollo capsule begins the entry procedure
The capsule comes down on parachutes
Mission Outcome: Success
Mission Time: 1 hour 12 minutes 6 seconds
Apogee: 75,170 meters
Perigee: 74,501 meters
Highest Altitude: 75,176 meters
Highest Speed: 2,104 meters per second
Max G-Force: 5.7G