Command Modules

Apollo 11 Command Module Columbia

The Apollo 11 Command Module, Columbia, was the living quarters for the three-person crew during most of the first manned lunar landing mission in July 1969. On July 16, 1969, Neil Armstrong, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin and Michael Collins were launched from Cape Kennedy atop a Saturn V rocket. This Command Module, no. 107, manufactured by North American Rockwell, was one of three parts of the complete Apollo spacecraft. The other two parts were the Service Module and the Lunar Module, nicknamed Eagle. The Service Module contained the main spacecraft propulsion system and consumables while the Lunar Module was the two-person craft used by Armstrong and Aldrin to descend to the Moon's surface on July 20. The Command Module is the only portion of the spacecraft to return to Earth, which is shown in the video of the Apollo 15 splashdown.

Boilerplate Command Module

NASA built several “boilerplate” (BP) Apollo command modules for testing and to train astronauts and other mission crew members. This BP command module, BP 1102A, was initially used as the water egress trainer for all Apollo flights, including by the crew of Apollo 11, the first lunar landing mission. Later, it was fitted with actual or mock-up interior components to simulate the Apollo-Soyuz spacecraft and the five-person rescue vehicle planned for emergency use developed during the Skylab programs. See the interior in VR here!

Spacecraft location in the Museum:

  • The Apollo 11 Command Module Columbia is located on the main floor of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Museum on the left, just outside the James S. McDonnell Space Hangar. More details about the capsule are located on its label at its display location.

  • The BP 1102A capsule is in the James S. McDonnell Space Hangar on the left as you enter the hangar. More details about the capsule are located on its label which is on the main floor in the Space Hangar.

  • Find them for yourself in our Google Street View!

Additional information

During Apollo 11, one astronaut remained behind in Columbia, while two climbed into Eagle and landed on the Moon. Who was he?

Command Module Pilot (CMP), Michael Collins remained in the Command Module, Columbia while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the Moon in the Lunar Module, Eagle.

There were three parts of the complete Apollo spacecraft. One part was Columbia, the Command Module. The other two parts were the Service Module and the Lunar Module, nicknamed Eagle. Eagle's descent stages remain at the landing site and the corresponding ascent stages crashed into the Moon following use. Columbia returned to Earth. What happened to the Service Module?

Just before reentry of the command module on the return home, the umbilical connection was severed to the Command Module and the Service Module was cast off and allowed to burn up in Earth's atmosphere.

What is the symbolism in the Apollo 11 mission patch?

The symbolism of this patch depicts an American bald eagle, holding olive branches representing peace, landing on the lunar surface, with the Earth above in the background. The lunar module carrying Armstrong and Aldrin was named Eagle.

Why did NASA build “boilerplate” Apollo command modules?

NASA built several BP Apollo command modules for testing and to train astronauts and other mission crew members.

What parts of BP 1102A capsule are from the Apollo 11 command module, Columbia?

The flotation collar and flotation bags were used on the Apollo 11 command module, Columbia.

What would happen to the command module if it landed nose down in the ocean instead of nose up?

Landing nose down would leave the recovery antenna underwater and increased the possibility that the spacecraft might flood.

Apollo BP Command Module Flotation Collar

BP 1102A is displayed above with the flotation collar that was attached to the Apollo 11 command module, Columbia, when it landed in the ocean at the end of its mission. A large seven-person raft was fastened to the flotation collar.

Apollo BP Command Module Exterior

BP 1102A is constructed of aluminum, with its sidewalls painted with a bronze epoxy paint to simulate the look of a real Apollo Command module after splashdown. BP 1102A was fitted with an actual Command Module hatch. Check it out in VR!

Apollo BP Command Module Flotation Bags

To avoid an increased possibility of flooding, the command module had to land in the ocean nose up. To turn the command module upright, three inflatable bags were installed. The flotation bags attached were used on the command module, Columbia.