Apollo 9 Timeline

Apollo 9 Timeline

 

 

Event

GET

(hhh:mm:ss)

GMT

Time

GMT

Date

Terminal countdown started.

-028:00:00

03:00:00

27 Feb 1969

Scheduled 3-hour hold at T-16 hours.

-016:00:00

15:00:00

27 Feb 1969

Decision made to recycle countdown to T-42 hours due to health of crew.

-016:00:00

15:30:00

27 Feb 1969

Countdown resumed at T-42 hours.

-042:00:00

07:30:00

01 Mar 1969

Scheduled 5-hour 30-minute hold at T-28 hours.

-028:00:00

21:30:00

01 Mar 1969

Countdown resumed at T-28 hours.

-028:00:00

03:00:00

02 Mar 1969

Scheduled 3-hour hold at T-16 hours.

-016:00:00

15:00:00

02 Mar 1969

Countdown resumed at T-16 hours.

-016:00:00

18:00:00

02 Mar 1969

Scheduled 6-hour hold at T-9 hours.

-009:00:00

01:00:00

03 Mar 1969

Countdown resumed at T-9 hours.

-009:00:00

07:00:00

03 Mar 1969

Guidance reference release.

-000:00:16.97

15:59:43

03 Mar 1969

S-IC engine start command.

-000:00:08.9

15:59:51

03 Mar 1969

S-IC engine ignition (#5).

-000:00:06.3

15:59:53

03 Mar 1969

All S-IC engines thrust OK.

-000:00:01.3

15:59:58

03 Mar 1969

Range zero.

000:00:00.00

16:00:00

03 Mar 1969

All holddown arms released (1st motion) (1.10 g).

000:00:00.26

16:00:00

03 Mar 1969

Liftoff (umbilical disconnected).

000:00:00.67

16:00:00

03 Mar 1969

Tower clearance yaw maneuver started.

000:00:01.7

16:00:01

03 Mar 1969

Yaw maneuver ended.

000:00:09.7

16:00:09

03 Mar 1969

Pitch and roll maneuver started.

000:00:13.3

16:00:13

03 Mar 1969

Roll maneuver ended.

000:00:33.0

16:00:33

03 Mar 1969

Mach 1 achieved.

000:01:08.2

16:01:08

03 Mar 1969

Maximum bending moment (86,000,000 lbf-in).

000:01:19.4

16:01:19

03 Mar 1969

Maximum dynamic pressure (630.73 lb/ft2).

000:01:25.5

16:01:25

03 Mar 1969

S-IC center engine cutoff command.

000:02:14.34

16:02:14

03 Mar 1969

Pitch maneuver ended.

000:02:38.0

16:02:38

03 Mar 1969

S-IC outboard engine cutoff.

000:02:42.76

16:02:42

03 Mar 1969

S-IC maximum total inertial acceleration (3.85 g).

000:02:42.84

16:02:42

03 Mar 1969

S-IC/S-II separation command and S-IC maximum Earth-fixed velocity.

000:02:43.45

16:02:43

03 Mar 1969

S-II engine start command.

000:02:44.17

16:02:44

03 Mar 1969

S-II ignition.

000:02:45.16

16:02:45

03 Mar 1969

S-II aft interstage jettisoned.

000:03:13.5

16:03:13

03 Mar 1969

Launch escape tower jettisoned.

000:03:18.3

16:03:18

03 Mar 1969

Iterative guidance mode initiated.

000:03:24.6

16:03:24

03 Mar 1969

S-IC apex.

000:04:26.03

16:04:26

03 Mar 1969

S-II engine cutoff.

000:08:56.22

16:08:56

03 Mar 1969

S-II maximum total inertial acceleration (2.00 g).

000:08:56.31

16:08:56

03 Mar 1969

S-IC impact (theoretical).

000:08:56.436

16:08:56

03 Mar 1969

S-II maximum Earth-fixed velocity.

000:08:56.45

16:08:56

03 Mar 1969

S-II/S-IVB separation command.

000:08:57.18

16:08:57

03 Mar 1969

S-IVB 1st burn start command.

000:08:57.28

16:08:57

03 Mar 1969

S-IVB 1st burn ignition.

000:09:00.82

16:09:00

03 Mar 1969

S-IVB ullage case jettisoned.

000:09:09.0

16:09:09

03 Mar 1969

S-II apex.

000:09:53.58

16:09:53

03 Mar 1969

S-IVB 1st burn cutoff.

000:11:04.66

16:11:04

03 Mar 1969

S-IVB 1st burn maximum total inertial acceleration (0.80 g).

000:11:04.74

16:11:04

03 Mar 1969

Earth orbit insertion. S-IVB 1st burn maximum Earth-fixed velocity.

000:11:14.66

16:11:14

03 Mar 1969

Maneuver to local horizontal attitude started.

000:11:24.9

16:11:24

03 Mar 1969

Orbital navigation started.

000:12:47.7

16:12:47

03 Mar 1969

S-II impact (theoretical).

000:20:25.346

16:20:25

03 Mar 1969

Maneuver to transposition and docking attitude..

002:34:01.0

18:34:01

03 Mar 1969

CSM separated from S-IVB (command).

002:41:16.0

18:41:16

03 Mar 1969

Formation flying. CSM docked with LM/S-IVB.

003:01:59.3

19:01:59

03 Mar 1969

CSM/LM ejected from S-IVB.

004:08:09

20:08:09

03 Mar 1969

Maneuver to local horizontal attitude started.

004:25:05.1

20:25:05

03 Mar 1969

S-IVB 2nd burn restart preparation.

004:36:17.24

20:36:17

03 Mar 1969

S-IVB 2nd burn restart command.

004:45:47.20

20:45:47

03 Mar 1969

S-IVB 2nd burn ignition (for intermediate orbit insertion).

004:45:55.54

20:45:55

03 Mar 1969

S-IVB 2nd burn cutoff.

004:46:57.60

20:46:57

03 Mar 1969

S-IVB 2nd burn maximum total inertial acceleration (1.24 g).

004:46:57.68

20:46:57

03 Mar 1969

S-IVB 2nd burn maximum Earth-fixed velocity.

004:46:58.20

20:46:58

03 Mar 1969

S-IVB intermediate orbit insertion.

004:47:07.60

20:47:07

03 Mar 1969

Orbital navigation started.

004:47:14.2

20:47:14

03 Mar 1969

Maneuver to local horizontal attitude started.

004:47:18.6

20:47:18

03 Mar 1969

1st SPS ignition.

005:59:01.07

21:59:01

03 Mar 1969

1st SPS cutoff.

005:59:06.30

21:59:06

03 Mar 1969

Powered flight navigation started.

005:59:39.0

21:59:39

03 Mar 1969

S-IVB 3rd burn restart preparation.

005:59:40.98

21:59:41

03 Mar 1969

S-IVB 3rd burn restart command.

006:06:27.35

22:06:27

03 Mar 1969

S-IVB 3rd burn ignition (Earth escape trajectory).

006:07:19.26

22:07:19

03 Mar 1969

S-IVB 3rd burn maximum total inertial acceleration (1.69 g).

006:08:53.00

22:08:53

03 Mar 1969

S-IVB 3rd burn cutoff.

006:11:21.32

22:11:21

03 Mar 1969

S-IVB safing procedures started.

006:11:21.92

22:11:21

03 Mar 1969

S-IVB 3rd burn maximum Earth-fixed velocity.

006:11:23.50

22:11:23

03 Mar 1969

S-IVB escape orbit insertion.

006:11:31.32

22:11:31

03 Mar 1969

Orbital navigation started.

006:11:38.0

22:11:38

03 Mar 1969

Maneuver to local horizontal attitude started.

006:11:42.0

22:11:42

03 Mar 1969

S-IVB safing - LOX dump started (failed due to loss of engine pneumatic control during 3rd burn).

006:12:15.5

22:12:15

03 Mar 1969

S-IVB safing - LOX NPV valve latched open to safe LOX tank

006:24:02

22:24:02

03 Mar 1969

S-IVB safing - LH2 dump started (failed due to loss of pneumatic control of engine valves).

006:24:11.3

22:24:11

03 Mar 1969

S-IVB safing - APS depletion firing ignition.

007:34:04.6

23:34:04

03 Mar 1969

S-IVB safing - APS depletion firing cutoff.

007:41:53

23:41:53

03 Mar 1969

2nd SPS ignition.

022:12:04.07

14:12:04

04 Mar 1969

2nd SPS cutoff.

022:13:54.36

14:13:54

04 Mar 1969

3rd SPS ignition.

025:17:39.27

17:17:39

04 Mar 1969

3rd SPS cutoff.

025:22:19.15

17:22:19

04 Mar 1969

4th SPS ignition.

028:24:41.37

20:24:41

04 Mar 1969

4th SPS cutoff.

028:25:09.24

20:25:09

04 Mar 1969

Pressure suits donned.

041:00

09:00

05 Mar 1969

LMP entered LM.

043:15

11:15

05 Mar 1969

LM transferred to internal power.

043:40

11:40

05 Mar 1969

LM systems activated.

043:45

11:45

05 Mar 1969

CDR entered LM.

044:04

12:04

05 Mar 1969

Landing gear deployed.

045:00

13:00

05 Mar 1969

Portable life support systems prepared.

045:05

13:05

05 Mar 1969

CDR requested private communication regarding LMP illness.

045:39:05

13:39:05

05 Mar 1969

CAPCOM replies that he is ready to receive CDR’s private communication.

045:51:56

13:51:56

05 Mar 1969

TV transmission (approximately 5 minutes).

046:28

14:28

05 Mar 1969

Self test of landing radar and rendezvous radar.

048:15

16:15

05 Mar 1969

DPS docked ignition.

049:41:34.46

17:41:34

05 Mar 1969

DPS docked cutoff.

049:47:45.97

17:47:46

05 Mar 1969

Landing radar self test.

050:00

18:00

05 Mar 1969

Transfer to CM started.

050:15

18:15

05 Mar 1969

LM deactivated.

051:00

19:00

05 Mar 1969

5th SPS ignition.

054:26:12.27

22:26:12

05 Mar 1969

5th SPS cutoff.

054:26:55.53

22:26:55

05 Mar 1969

Pressure suits removed.

055:00

23:00

05 Mar 1969

Pressure suits donned.

068:15

12:15

06 Mar 1969

Transfer to LM started.

069:45

13:45

06 Mar 1969

LM systems activated.

070:00

14:00

06 Mar 1969

CDR assessed LMP condition as excellent.

071:53

15:53

06 Mar 1969

LM depressurized.

072:45

16:45

06 Mar 1969

LM forward hatch open.

072:46

16:46

06 Mar 1969

CM depressurized.

072:59

16:59

06 Mar 1969

LMP started egress.

072:59:02

16:59:02

06 Mar 1969

CM side hatch open.

073:02:00

17:02:00

06 Mar 1969

CDR reported LMP’s foot extending through LM forward hatch. LMP lowered EVA visor.

073:04

17:04

06 Mar 1969

LMP egress completed. Entered foot restraints. CDR photographed LMP activities.

073:07

17:07

06 Mar 1969

CDR passed 70 mm camera to LMP. LMP started photography.

073:10

17:10

06 Mar 1969

LMP ended 70 mm photography and handed camera to CDR.CMP photographed LM with 16 mm camera.

073:20

17:20

06 Mar 1969

CDR passed 16 mm camera to LMP. CMP activities photographed by LMP.

073:23

17:23

06 Mar 1969

CMP retrieved SM thermal samples.

073:26

17:26

06 Mar 1969

LMP passed 16 mm camera to CDR.

073:34

17:34

06 Mar 1969

LMP 16 mm camera failed. LMP evaluated handrail, retrieved LM thermal sample, and passed to CDR.

073:39

17:39

06 Mar 1969

LMP started handrail evaluation.

073:42

17:42

06 Mar 1969

LMP ingress started.

073:45

17:45

06 Mar 1969

LMP ingress completed.

073:46:03

17:46:03

06 Mar 1969

LM hatch closed.

073:48

17:48

06 Mar 1969

CM side hatch reported closed and locked.

073:49:23

17:49:23

06 Mar 1969

LM hatch reported locked.

073:49:56

17:49:56

06 Mar 1969

LM repressurized at 3.0 psi.

073:53

17:53

06 Mar 1969

CM repressurization started.

073:55

17:55

06 Mar 1969

CM repressurized at 2.7 psi.

074:02:00

18:02:00

06 Mar 1969

TV transmission started.

074:58:03

18:58:03

06 Mar 1969

TV transmission ended.

075:13:13

19:13:13

06 Mar 1969

CDR entered CM.

075:15

19:15

06 Mar 1969

LMP entered CM.

076:55

20:55

06 Mar 1969

Pressure suits removed.

077:15

21:15

06 Mar 1969

LMP entered LM to open translunar bus tie circuit breakers.

078:09

22:09

06 Mar 1969

Pressure suits donned.

086:00

06:00

07 Mar 1969

LMP entered LM.

088:05

08:05

07 Mar 1969

LM systems activated.

088:15

08:15

07 Mar 1969

CDR entered LM.

088:55

08:55

07 Mar 1969

Check LM systems.

089:05

09:05

07 Mar 1969

Rendezvous radar transponder test.

091:00

11:00

07 Mar 1969

Landing radar self test.

091:55

11:55

07 Mar 1969

Rendezvous radar transponder test.

092:05

12:05

07 Mar 1969

Maneuver to undocking attitude.

092:22

12:22

07 Mar 1969

Unsuccessful undocking attempt. Capture latches failed to release.

092:38

12:38

07 Mar 1969

CSM/LM reported undocked.

092:39:36

12:39:36

07 Mar 1969

Formation flying and photography.

092:45

12:45

07 Mar 1969

CSM/LM separation maneuver ignition.

093:02:54

13:02:54

07 Mar 1969

CSM/LM separation maneuver cutoff.

093:03:03.5

13:03:03

07 Mar 1969

LM descent propulsion phasing maneuver ignition.

093:47:35.4

13:47:35

07 Mar 1969

LM descent propulsion phasing maneuver cutoff.

093:47:54.4

13:47:54

07 Mar 1969

Landing radar self test.

094:15

14:15

07 Mar 1969

Rendezvous radar on.

095:10

15:10

07 Mar 1969

LM descent propulsion insertion maneuver ignition.

095:39:08.06

15:39:08

07 Mar 1969

LM descent propulsion insertion maneuver cutoff.

095:39:30.43

15:39:30

07 Mar 1969

CAPCOM reported “everything looks good for staging.”

095:58:15

15:58:15

07 Mar 1969

LM coelliptic sequence initiation maneuver ignition. Approximate time of LM descent stage jettison.

096:16:06.54

16:16:06

07 Mar 1969

LM coelliptic sequence initiation maneuver cutoff.

096:16:38.25

16:16:38

07 Mar 1969

CDR reports LM “staging went okay.”

096:33:11

16:33:11

07 Mar 1969

LM constant differential height ignition.

096:58:15.0

16:58:15

07 Mar 1969

LM constant differential height cutoff.

096:58:17.9

16:58:17

07 Mar 1969

LM terminal phase initiation ignition.

097:57:59

17:57:59

07 Mar 1969

LM terminal phase initiation cutoff.

097:58:36.6

17:58:36

07 Mar 1969

1st RCS midcourse correction ignition.

098:25:19.66

18:25:19

07 Mar 1969

1st RCS midcourse correction cutoff.

098:25:23.57

18:25:23

07 Mar 1969

Terminal phase braking.

098:30:03

18:30:03

07 Mar 1969

Stationkeeping.

098:30:51.2

18:30:51

07 Mar 1969

Formation flying and photography.

098:40

18:40

07 Mar 1969

CSM/LM docked.

099:02:26

19:02:26

07 Mar 1969

CDR entered CM.

100:35

20:35

07 Mar 1969

LM prepared for jettison.

100:40

20:40

07 Mar 1969

LMP entered CM.

101:00

21:00

07 Mar 1969

LM ascent stage jettisoned.

101:22:45.0

21:22:45

07 Mar 1969

Post-jettison CSM separation maneuver.

101:32:44

21:32:44

07 Mar 1969

LM ascent engine depletion ignition.

101:53:15.4

21:53:15

07 Mar 1969

LM ascent engine depletion.

101:59:17.7

21:59:17

07 Mar 1969

Pressure suits removed.

102:00

22:00

07 Mar 1969

6th SPS ignition.

123:25:06.97

19:25:07

08 Mar 1969

6th SPS cutoff.

123:25:08.40

19:25:08

08 Mar 1969

Experiment S065 photography.

124:10

20:10

08 Mar 1969

CSM landmark tracking.

125:30

21:30

08 Mar 1969

CSM landmark tracking.

143:00

15:00

09 Mar 1969

Experiment S065 photography.

146:00

18:00

09 Mar 1969

Experiment S065 photography.

147:30

19:30

09 Mar 1969

Target of opportunity photography.

149:00

21:00

09 Mar 1969

Target of opportunity photography.

150:10

22:10

09 Mar 1969

7th SPS ignition.

169:39:00.36

17:39:00

10 Mar 1969

7th SPS cutoff.

169:39:25.26

17:39:25

10 Mar 1969

16 mm photography.

171:10

19:10

10 Mar 1969

Experiment S065 photography.

171:20

19:20

10 Mar 1969

Experiment S065 photography.

171:50

19:50

10 Mar 1969

Target of opportunity photography.

173:10

21:10

10 Mar 1969

Experiment S065 photography.

190:40

14:40

11 Mar 1969

Experiment S065 photography.

192:10

16:10

11 Mar 1969

Tracking of Pegasus II satellite started.

192:43

16:43

11 Mar 1969

Tracking of Pegasus II satellite ended.

192:44

16:44

11 Mar 1969

High-gain antenna test.

193:10

17:10

11 Mar 1969

High-gain antenna test.

193:40

17:40

11 Mar 1969

Target of opportunity photography.

193:50

17:50

11 Mar 1969

Tracking of Pegasus II satellite started.

194:13

18:13

11 Mar 1969

Tracking of Pegasus II satellite ended.

194:15

18:15

11 Mar 1969

CSM landmark tracking.

195:10

19:10

11 Mar 1969

Target of opportunity photography.

195:30

19:30

11 Mar 1969

Target of opportunity photography.

213:25

13:25

12 Mar 1969

Observation of descent stage attempted.

213:50

13:50

12 Mar 1969

Target of opportunity photography.

215:00

15:00

12 Mar 1969

Experiment S065 photography.

215:10

15:10

12 Mar 1969

Target of opportunity photography.

215:30

15:30

12 Mar 1969

Experiment S065 photography.

216:10

16:10

12 Mar 1969

Target of opportunity photography.

216:20

16:20

12 Mar 1969

Experiment S065 photography.

216:40

16:40

12 Mar 1969

Target of opportunity photography.

217:00

17:00

12 Mar 1969

CSM landmark tracking.

217:50

17:50

12 Mar 1969

Passive thermal control evaluated.

218:30

18:30

12 Mar 1969

Passive thermal control evaluated.

222:00

22:00

12 Mar 1969

Tracking of ascent stage with optics started.

222:38:40

22:38:40

12 Mar 1969

Tracking of ascent stage with optics ended.

222:45:40

22:45:40

12 Mar 1969

8th SPS ignition (deorbit).

240:31:14.84

16:31:14

13 Mar 1969

8th SPS cutoff.

240:31:26.58

16:31:26

13 Mar 1969

CM/SM separation.

240:36:03.8

16:36:03

13 Mar 1969

Entry.

240:44:10.2

16:44:10

13 Mar 1969

Communication blackout started.

240:47:01

16:47:01

13 Mar 1969

Communication blackout ended.

240:50:43

16:50:43

13 Mar 1969

Radar contact with CM established by recovery aircraft.

240:51

16:51

13 Mar 1969

Drogue parachute deployed

240:55:07.8

16:55:07

13 Mar 1969

Main parachute deployed.

240:55:59.0

16:55:59

13 Mar 1969

Recovery beacon contact with CM established by recovery aircraft. VHF voice contact with CM established by

   recovery helicopter.

 

240:57

 

16:57

 

13 Mar 1969

Visual contact with CM established by recovery helicopter.

240:58

16:58

13 Mar 1969

Splashdown (went to apex-up).

241:00:54

17:00:54

13 Mar 1969

Swimmers and flotation collar deployed.

241:07

17:07

13 Mar 1969

Flotation collar inflated.

241:14

17:14

13 Mar 1969

CM hatch opened.

241:27

17:27

13 Mar 1969

Crew aboard recovery helicopter.

241:45

17:45

13 Mar 1969

Crew aboard recovery ship.

241:49:33

17:49:33

13 Mar 1969

CM aboard recovery ship.

243:13

19:13

13 Mar 1969

Crew departed recovery ship.

263:00

15:00

14 Mar 1969

Crew arrived in Eleuthera in the Bahamas.

264:30

16:30

14 Mar 1969

Deactivation of CM started at Norfolk Naval Air Station, VA.

312:00

16:00

16 Mar 1969

CM arrived at contractor’s facility in Downey, CA.

 

 

21 Mar 1969

LM descent stage entry.

443:45

03:45

22 Mar 1969

LM ascent stage entry.

 

 

23 Oct 1981

 

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