Apollo 11

The above image shows the moment when the Apollo 11 Saturn V stage 3, called the S-IVB, separates from the Command and Service Module with the Lunar Lander attached (CSM-LM). The happens early, only about 4 hours and 40 minutes after launch. After this point, the CSM-LM proceeded to a lunar orbit and the landing. This image shows the trajectory of the S-IVB after it separates from the CSM-LM, moves past the Moon, and into its heliocentric orbit, where it remains to this day. Unfortunately, JPL Horizons data does not include the trajectory of the CSM-LM to the Moon and back to Earth. 

• Plot of Apollo 11 S-IVB at the point of separation on 1969-07-16 18:12 and injection into heliocentric orbit (Large File: 4.7 MB)

• Earth-centered animation of Apollo 11 S-IVB from 1969-07-16 17:40 through 1969-07-19 13:40, into its heliocentric orbit (Large File: 3.9 MB)

• Moon-centered animation of Apollo 11 S-IVB from 1969-07-16 17:40 through 1969-07-19 13:40, into its heliocentric orbit (File: 676 KB)

Apollo 11 Detailed Timeline:

• Launch:
  
  

  • Date & Time: July 16, 13:32:00

  • Explanation: This is the moment the Saturn V rocket, carrying the Apollo 11 spacecraft, lifted off from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. This marked the official start of the mission.

• Earth orbit insertion:
  
  

  • Date & Time: July 16, 13:43:49

  • Explanation: After the first two stages of the Saturn V had expended their fuel and separated, the third stage (the S-IVB, which we discussed earlier) ignited to place the Apollo spacecraft (Command/Service Module and Lunar Module) into a parking orbit around Earth. This allowed for final checks and preparation before the journey to the Moon.

• Translunar injection (TLI):
  
  

  • Date & Time: July 16, 16:22:13

  • Explanation: This was a critical burn of the S-IVB engine. After orbiting Earth for about 2.5 hours, the S-IVB reignited to provide the immense thrust needed to accelerate the Apollo spacecraft out of Earth orbit and onto a trajectory that would take it to the Moon. This "injection" set the spacecraft on its path across the cislunar space.

  • CSM/LM Separation from S-IVB: Very shortly after TLI, the CSM (with the LM still inside its adapter) separates from the S-IVB.

  • S-IVB "Injection" into Heliocentric Orbit: After the CSM-LM stack has pulled away, the S-IVB performs "residual propellant dumps" to ensure it doesn't pose a collision risk and to send it onto a heliocentric (Sun) orbit. This final maneuver of the S-IVB occurs approximately 4 hours, 40 minutes into the flight, as stated in the NASA overview. 

• CSM-LM docking:
  
  

  • Date & Time: July 16, 16:56:03

  • Acronyms:

    • CSM: Command/Service Module. This was the main spacecraft component that housed the three astronauts for most of the mission.

      • The Command Module (CM) was the crew's living quarters, control center, and the only part that returned to Earth.

      • The Service Module (SM) contained the main propulsion system, fuel, oxygen, and other consumables. It was jettisoned before re-entry.

    • LM: Lunar Module. This was the two-stage spacecraft designed to land two astronauts on the Moon's surface.

  • Explanation: After TLI, the CSM separated from the S-IVB stage. The CSM then turned around, faced the LM (which was still attached to the S-IVB), and carefully docked nose-to-nose with it. This maneuver was crucial for extracting the LM from the S-IVB and preparing for the lunar landing phase. After docking, the combined CSM-LM pulled away from the S-IVB. The Apollo 11 S-IVB stage was put into heliocentric orbit on July 16, 1969 at approximately 18:12:00 GMT/UTC. The S-IVB stages of Apollo 8 through 12 in heliocentric orbit are more than just space junk. They are unique historical artifacts that offer ongoing scientific value for understanding long-term space exposure, refining orbital mechanics models, and serving as real-world examples in the study of near-Earth objects. 

• Lunar orbit insertion:

• • Date & Time: July 19, 17:21:50

  • Explanation: After a three-day journey from Earth, the Apollo 11 spacecraft (CSM and LM still docked together) fired its main engine (on the Service Module) to slow down sufficiently and enter orbit around the Moon. This placed them in a stable elliptical orbit from which the landing attempt could be made.

• CSM-LM separation:
  
  

  • Date & Time: July 20, 06:11:53

  • Explanation: With the combined spacecraft in lunar orbit, the two active modules separated. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were inside the Lunar Module ("Eagle"), while Michael Collins remained in the Command Module ("Columbia") orbiting the Moon. This was the final step before the lunar landing attempt.

• Lunar landing:
  
  

  • Date & Time: July 20, 08:17:40

  • Explanation: The Lunar Module, piloted by Armstrong and Aldrin, began its descent from lunar orbit. After a tense, manually piloted final approach, the LM "Eagle" successfully touched down on the Moon's surface in the Sea of Tranquility. This marked the first time humans landed on an extraterrestrial body.

• Begin EVA:
  
  

  • Date & Time: July 20, 14:39:33

  • Acronym:

    • EVA: Extravehicular Activity. This refers to any activity performed by an astronaut outside a spacecraft. In this context, it specifically means stepping out of the Lunar Module onto the Moon's surface.

  • Explanation: After landing, Armstrong and Aldrin spent several hours preparing the LM for their spacewalk. This event marks the beginning of their preparations to exit the LM and begin their surface exploration.

• First step on surface:
  
  

  • Date & Time: July 20, 14:56:15

  • Explanation: Neil Armstrong emerged from the Lunar Module and became the first human to step onto the Moon's surface, uttering the famous words, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Buzz Aldrin joined him shortly after.

• Lunar liftoff:
  
  

  • Date & Time: July 21, 17:54:01

  • Explanation: After about 21.5 hours on the lunar surface, the ascent stage of the Lunar Module (carrying Armstrong and Aldrin) fired its engine, leaving the descent stage behind on the Moon. This propelled them back into lunar orbit to rendezvous with the Command Module.

• LM-CSM docking:
  
  

  • Date & Time: July 21, 09:34:00

  • Explanation: The Lunar Module ascent stage successfully rendezvoused with the Command Module, still piloted by Michael Collins in lunar orbit. The two spacecraft then docked, allowing Armstrong and Aldrin to transfer back into the Command Module with their lunar samples. The LM ascent stage was then jettisoned into lunar orbit.

• Transearth injection:
  
  

  • Date & Time: July 21, 16:54:42

  • Explanation: With all three astronauts safely aboard the Command Module, its main engine was fired one last time. This "injection" burn accelerated the Command Module out of lunar orbit and set it on a course back to Earth.

• Splashdown:
  
  

  • Date & Time: July 24, 16:50:35

  • Explanation: After a journey of about 2.5 days from the Moon, the Command Module (the only part of the spacecraft designed to return to Earth) entered Earth's atmosphere, deployed its parachutes, and successfully landed in the Pacific Ocean. This marked the triumphant end of the Apollo 11 mission.