HERE MEN FROM THE PLANET EARTH
FIRST SET FOOT UPON THE MOON
JULY 1969 A.D.
WE CAME IN PEACE FOR ALL MANKIND
From the plaque on the Eagle, Apollo 11,
which landed on the moon, July 20, 1969.
Apollo Expeditions to the Moon
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword
JAMES C. FLETCHER
Introduction
ROBERT C. SEAMANS, JR.
1
A Perspective on Apollo
The forces that set us on the path to the Moon
JAMES E. WEBB
Introduction
A Perspective On Apollo 1
A Ferment Of Debate
The Goal Of Apollo
Large Issues Of Policy
Kennedy's Decision
Working With Industries And Universities
Benefits From Space Technology
2
"I Believe We Should Go to the Moon"
Engineering what had never been done before
ROBERT R. GILRUTH
Introduction
What We Had To Build On
The Year Of Decisions (June 1961 TO June 1962)
Gemini Program
The Plan In Retrospect
3
Saturn the Giant
Building the boosters to send men beyond Earth
WERNHER VON BRAUN
Introduction
Determining Saturn's Configuration
Choosing The Builders
An All-Up Test For The First Flight
The Perils Of Pogo
Artificial Storms At The Arm Farm
4
The Spaceships
Building the first craft to cross an ocean of space
GEORGE M. LOW
Introduction
Two Magnificent Flying Machines
Complex Subsystems Performed Vital Functions
A Tragic Fire Takes Three Lives
And Then Rebuilding Began
Testing And Retesting To Get Ready For Flight
5
Scouting the Moon
Mechanical explorers went before human ones
EDGAR M. CORTRIGHT
Introduction
A Shaky Start
Our First Close Look
Testing The Surface
Mapping And Site Selection
6
The Cape
The new shipyard of space created for Apollo
ROCCO A. PETRONE
Introduction
Keeping Vertical On The Move
A Launch Every Other Month
Testing The Team
When The Red Light Lit Up
7
"This is Mission Control"
How men on Earth aided men in space
CHRISTOPHER C. KRAFT, JR.
Introduction
Vigilance And Judgment
A Lightning Strike
Reprogramming In Flight
Long-Distance Solutions
An Advanced Computer Complex
Maneuver Targeting
Training Crews And Controllers
Contributions Of Flight Surgeons
8
Men for the Moon
How they were chosen and trained
ROBERT SHERROD
Introduction
The Strenous Selection Process
Preparing For All Eventualities
Their Origins And Characteristics
Advantages Of Being The Eldest Son
Which Men For Which Flight Crews?
Choosing The First Man On The Moon
What Happens To Ex-Astronauts?
Appendix: Protecting Men For Their Steps On The Moon
9
The Shakedown Cruises
Bold steps preceded 'one small step'
SAMUEL C. PHILLIPS
Introduction
Detective Work On The Telemetry
An Early Trip Around The Moon
A Superb Spacecraft
Lifting From A Sea Of Flame
Orbiting The Moon Christmas Eve
A Lunar Christmas
10
Getting It All Together
Critical tests of the total system
GEORGE E. MUELLER
Introduction
Those Computer Alarms
First Manned Flight Of The LM
Descent Engine Fired
The LM On Its Own
The Dress Rehearsal
Flawless Rendezvous
11
"The Eagle Has Landed"
A goal attained, men on the Moon
MICHAEL COLLINS and EDWIN E. ALDRIN, JR.
Introduction
The Most Awesome Sphere
Asleep In Lunar Orbit
A Yellow Caution Light
The Boy In The Candy Store
Coaxing The Flag To Stand
All Smiles And Giggles
12
Ocean of Storms and Fra Mauro
Exploring on foot, emplacing automatic laboratories
CHARLES CONRAD, JR. and ALAN B. SHEPARD, JR.
Introduction
Little Clouds Around Your Feet
Tan Dust On Surveyor
Choosing A Smoother Spot
A Lunar Rickshaw
The Hunt For The Rim Of Cone
Appendix: ALSEP, Scientific Station on the Moon
13
"Houston, We've Had a Problem"
A crippled bird limps safely home
JAMES A. LOVELL
Introduction
Arranging For Survival
Fifteen Minutes Of Power Left
A Square Peg In A Round Hole
Tired, Hungry, Wet, Cold, Dehydrated
Appendix: Detailed Chronology
14
The Great Voyages of Exploration
Scientific expeditions return a rich harvest
HARRISON H. SCHMITT
Introduction
A New View Of The Moon
Inconceivable Violence
The Missions Of Understanding
A Major Thermal Event?
Beads Of Orange Glass
Appendix I: A New Way Of Exploration
Appendix II: Touring The Moon
15
The Legacy of Apollo
New understanding of ourselves and our world
HOMER E. NEWELL
Introduction
Implanting Sensors On The Moon
Hot Debates About Volcanoes
Ancient Tracks Of Radiation
The Nagging Question Of Origin
Life In An Ocean Of Gas
Appendix: Photography And Spacecraft ...
The Contributors
Key Events in Apollo
Apollo Mission Profile
Editor's Note