Apollo 15 Timeline
Event |
GET (hhh:mm:ss) |
GMT Time |
GMT Date |
Terminal countdown started. |
-028: |
|
|
Scheduled 9-hour 34-minute hold at T-9 hours. |
-009: |
|
|
Countdown resumed at T-9 hours. |
-009: |
|
|
Scheduled 1-hour hold at T-3 hours 30 minutes. |
-003:30:00 |
|
|
Countdown resumed at T-3 hours 30 minutes. |
-003:30:00 |
|
|
Guidance reference release. |
-000:00:16.939 |
|
|
S-IC engine start command. |
-000:00:08.9 |
|
|
S-IC engine ignition (#5). |
-000:00:06.50 |
|
|
All S-IC engines thrust OK. |
-000:00:01.4 |
|
|
Range zero. |
000:00:00.00 |
|
|
All holddown arms released (1st motion) (1.08 g). |
000:00:00.3 |
|
|
Liftoff (umbilical disconnected). |
000:00:00.58 |
|
|
Tower clearance yaw maneuver started. |
000:00:01.68 |
|
|
Yaw maneuver ended. |
000:00:09.66 |
|
|
Pitch and roll maneuver started. |
000:00:12.21 |
|
|
Roll maneuver ended. |
000:00:23.02 |
|
|
Mach 1 achieved. |
000:01:05.0 |
|
|
Maximum bending moment (80,000,000 lbf-in). |
000:01:20.1 |
|
|
Maximum dynamic pressure (768.58 lb/ft2). |
000:01:22.0 |
|
|
S-IC center engine cutoff command. |
000:02:15.96 |
|
|
Pitch maneuver ended. |
000:02:36.94 |
|
|
S-IC outboard engine cutoff. Maximum total inertial acceleration (3.97 g). |
000:02:39.56 |
|
|
S-IC maximum Earth-fixed velocity. |
000:02:40.00 |
|
|
S-IC/S-II separation command. |
000:02:41.2 |
|
|
S-II engine start command. |
000:02:41.9 |
|
|
S-II ignition. |
000:02:43.0 |
|
|
S-II aft interstage jettisoned. |
000:03:11.2 |
|
|
Launch escape tower jettisoned. |
000:03:15.9 |
|
|
Iterative guidance mode initiated. |
000:03:22.62 |
|
|
S-IC apex. |
000:04:37.562 |
|
|
S-II maximum total inertial acceleration (1.79 g). S-II center engine cutoff. |
000:07:39.56 |
|
|
S-II outboard engine cutoff. |
000:09:09.06 |
|
|
S-II maximum Earth-fixed velocity. |
000:09:10.00 |
|
|
S-II/S-IVB separation command. |
000:09:10.1 |
|
|
S-IVB 1st burn start command. |
000:09:10.20 |
|
|
S-IVB 1st burn ignition. |
000:09:13.20 |
|
|
S-II apex. |
000:09:13.225 |
|
|
S-IC impact (theoretical). |
000:09:20.839 |
|
|
S-IVB ullage case jettisoned. |
000:09:21.8 |
|
|
S-IVB 1st burn maximum total inertial acceleration (0.65 g). S-IVB 1st burn cutoff. |
000:11:34.67 |
|
|
Earth orbit insertion. S-IVB 1st burn maximum Earth-fixed velocity. |
000:11:44.67 |
|
|
Orbital navigation started. |
000:11:56.3 |
|
|
Maneuver to local horizontal attitude started. |
000:13:15.7 |
|
|
S-II impact (theoretical). |
000:19:43.912 |
|
|
S-IVB 2nd burn restart preparation. |
002:40:24.80 |
|
|
S-IVB 2nd burn restart command. |
002:49:54.90 |
|
|
S-IVB 2nd burn ignition. |
002:50:02.90 |
|
|
S-IVB 2nd burn cutoff and maximum total inertial acceleration (1.40 g). |
002:55:53.61 |
|
|
S-IVB 2nd burn maximum Earth-fixed velocity. |
002:55:54.00 |
|
|
Translunar injection. |
002:56:03.61 |
|
|
Orbital navigation started. |
002:58:26.0 |
|
|
Maneuver to local horizontal attitude started. |
002:58:26.2 |
|
|
Maneuver to transposition and docking attitude started. |
003:10:54.6 |
|
|
CSM separated from S-IVB. |
003:22:27.2 |
|
|
TV transmission started. |
003:25 |
|
|
CSM docked with LM/S-IVB. |
003:33:49.5 |
|
|
TV transmission ended. |
003:50 |
|
|
CSM/LM ejected from S-IVB. |
004:18:01.2 |
|
|
S-IVB APS evasive maneuver ignition. |
004:40:01.8 |
|
|
S-IVB APS evasive maneuver cutoff. |
004:41:22.0 |
|
|
Maneuver to S-IVB LOX dump attitude initiated. |
004:49:41.8 |
|
|
S-IVB lunar impact maneuver - CVS venting closed. |
004:56:40.6 |
|
|
S-IVB lunar impact maneuver - LOX dump. Start of unplanned velocity increment due to J-2 engine control helium dump. |
005:01:20.6 |
|
|
S-IVB lunar impact maneuver - CVS vent opened. |
005:01:40.6 |
|
|
S-IVB lunar impact maneuver - LOX dump ended. |
005:02:08.7 |
|
|
S-IVB lunar impact maneuver - J-2 engine control helium dump ended. |
005: |
|
|
Maneuver to attitude required for final S-IVB APS burn initiated. |
005:27:13.5 |
|
|
S-IVB lunar impact maneuver - 1st APS ignition. |
005:46:00.7 |
|
|
S-IVB lunar impact maneuver - 1st APS cutoff. |
005:52:01.9 |
|
|
S-IVB lunar impact maneuver - Start of 1st unplanned velocity increment due to instrument unit thermal control system water valve operations and APS attitude engine reactions. |
006: |
|
|
S-IVB lunar impact maneuver - End of 1st velocity increment due to IU/TCS and APS effects. |
006: |
|
|
S-IVB lunar impact maneuver - Start of 2nd velocity increment due to IU/TCS and APS effects. |
006:58:00 |
|
|
S-IVB lunar impact maneuver - End of 2nd velocity increment due to IU/TCS and APS effects. |
007: |
|
|
S-IVB lunar impact maneuver - Start of 3rd velocity increment due to IU/TCS and APS effects. |
007:38:00 |
|
|
S-IVB lunar impact maneuver - End of 3rd velocity increment due to IU/TCS and APS effects. |
007:43:00 |
|
|
S-IVB lunar impact maneuver - Start of 4th velocity increment due to IU/TCS and APS effects. |
008: |
|
|
S-IVB lunar impact maneuver - End of 4th velocity increment due to IU/TCS and APS effects. |
008: |
|
|
S-IVB lunar impact maneuver - Start of 5th velocity increment due to IU/TCS and APS effects. |
008:53:00 |
|
|
S-IVB lunar impact maneuver - End of 5th velocity increment due to IU/TCS and APS effects. |
008:58:00 |
|
|
S-IVB lunar impact maneuver - Start of 6th velocity increment due to IU/TCS and APS effects. |
009:28:00 |
|
|
S-IVB lunar impact maneuver - End of 6th velocity increment due to IU/TCS and APS effects. |
009:33:00 |
|
|
S-IVB lunar impact maneuver - 2nd APS ignition. |
010: |
|
|
S-IVB lunar impact maneuver - 2nd APS cutoff. |
010: |
|
|
S-IVB 0.3° per second solar heating avoidance roll command. |
010: |
|
|
Midcourse correction ignition. |
028:40:22.0 |
|
|
Midcourse correction cutoff. |
028:40:22.8 |
|
|
Sextant photography test started. |
032:00 |
|
|
Sextant photography test ended. |
032:50 |
|
|
Preparations for LM ingress. |
033:25 |
|
|
CDR and LMP entered LM for checkout. |
033:56 |
|
|
TV transmission of CM and LM interiors started. |
034:55 |
|
|
TV transmission of CM and LM interiors ended. |
035:46 |
|
|
CDR and LMP entered CM. |
036:55 |
|
|
Visual light flash phenomenon observations started. |
051:37 |
|
|
Visual light flash phenomenon observations ended. |
052:33 |
|
|
LM housekeeping. |
056:26 |
|
|
LM ingress and housekeeping. |
056:26 |
|
|
CDR and LMP entered LM for checkout. |
057:00 |
|
|
CDR and LMP entered CM. |
058:00 |
|
|
Equigravisphere. |
063:55:20 |
|
|
Midcourse correction ignition. |
073:31:14.81 |
|
|
Midcourse correction cutoff. |
073:31:15.72 |
|
|
Scientific instrument module door jettisoned. |
074:06:47.1 |
|
|
Lunar orbit insertion ignition (SPS). |
078:31:46.70 |
|
|
Lunar orbit insertion cutoff. |
078:38:25.06 |
|
|
S-IVB impact on lunar surface. |
079:24:42.9 |
|
|
Orbital science photography started. |
080:35 |
|
|
Orbital science photography ended. |
080:50 |
|
|
Terminator photography. |
082:00 |
|
|
Descent orbit insertion ignition (SPS). |
082:39:49.09 |
|
|
Descent orbit insertion cutoff. |
082:40:13.62 |
|
|
CSM landmark tracking. |
083:45 |
|
|
Terminator photography. |
084:35 |
|
|
TV transmission of landing site started. |
095:00 |
|
|
TV transmission of landing site ended. |
095:10 |
|
|
Descent orbit trim ignition (RCS). |
095:56:44.70 |
|
|
Descent orbit trim cutoff. |
095:57:15.10 |
|
|
CDR and LMP entered LM for activation, checkout, and platform alignment. |
098:00 |
|
|
CM/LM undocking failure due to loose CM/LM umbilical. |
100:14 |
|
|
LM undocking and separation. |
100:39:16.2 |
|
|
CSM orbit circularization ignition (SPS). |
101:38:58.98 |
|
|
CSM orbit circularization cutoff. |
101:39:02.65 |
|
|
CSM lunar surface landmark tracking. |
102:35 |
|
|
LM landing radar on. |
104:25:13.0 |
|
|
LM powered descent engine ignition. |
104:30:09.4 |
|
|
LM throttle to full-throttle position. |
104:30:35.9 |
|
|
LM manual target (landing site) update. |
104:31:44.2 |
|
|
LM pitchover started. |
104:33:10.4 |
|
|
LM landing radar range data good. |
104:33:26.2 |
|
|
LM landing radar altitude data good. |
104:33:38.2 |
|
|
LM landing radar updates enabled. |
104:33:50.2 |
|
|
LM throttle down. |
104:37:31.1 |
|
|
LM approach phase program selected. |
104:39:32.2 |
|
|
LM landing radar antenna to position 2. |
104:39:39.0 |
|
|
LM 1st landing point redesignation. |
104:39:40.0 |
|
|
LM landing radar switched to low scale. |
104:40:13.0 |
|
|
LM attitude hold mode selected. |
104:41:08.7 |
|
|
LM landing phase program selected. |
104:41:10.2 |
|
|
LM powered descent engine cutoff. |
104:42:28.6 |
|
|
LM lunar landing (right side and forward footpad contact). |
104:42:29.3 |
|
|
LM final settling. |
104:42:31.1 |
|
|
CSM orbital science photography. |
106:00 |
|
|
Stand-up EVA started (Scott). |
106:42:49 |
|
|
Stand-up EVA ended. |
107:15:56 |
|
|
CSM orbital science photography. |
108:00 |
|
|
CSM orbital science photography. |
108:40 |
|
|
CSM bistatic radar test. |
110:00 |
|
|
1st EVA started (LM cabin depressurized). |
119:39:17 |
|
|
TV transmission started for 1st EVA. |
119:52:45 |
|
|
Contingency sample collected. |
120:00:05 |
|
|
Lunar rover vehicle (LRV) offloaded. |
120:18:31 |
|
|
LRV deployed. |
120:31:33 |
|
|
LRV configured for traverse. |
121:24:03 |
|
|
Departed for station 1. |
121:44:55 |
|
|
Arrived at station 1. Performed radial sampling, gathered documented samples, and performed panoramic photography. |
122:10:46 |
|
|
Departed for station 2. |
122:22:36 |
|
|
Arrived at station 2. Gathered samples, obtained a double core tube sample and performed stereopanoramic and 500 mm photography. |
122:34:44 |
|
|
CSM deep space measurements. |
122:40 |
|
|
CSM sunrise solar corona photography. |
123:05 |
|
|
Departed for LM. |
123:26:02 |
|
|
Arrived at LM. Offloaded and deployed Apollo lunar surface experiment package (ALSEP), laser ranging retroreflector, and solar wind composition experiment. |
123:59:39 |
|
|
CSM sunset solar corona photography. |
124:30 |
|
|
CSM lunar libration photography. |
125:00 |
|
|
1st ALSEP data received on Earth. |
125: |
|
|
TV transmission ended for 1st EVA. |
125:55 |
|
|
Cold cathode gage experiment turned on. CSM orbital science photography. |
126:00 |
|
|
1st EVA ended (cabin repressurized). |
126:11:59 |
|
|
Heat flow experiment turned on. |
126:13 |
|
|
CSM bistatic radar test. |
131:40 |
|
|
CSM orbital science photography. |
142:00 |
|
|
2nd EVA started (cabin depressurized). |
142:14:48 |
|
|
Equipment prepared for LRV traverse. |
142:25:04 |
|
|
TV transmission started for 2nd EVA. |
142:35 |
|
|
Departed for station 6. |
143:10:43 |
|
|
Arrived at station 6. Gathered samples, obtained a single core tube sample, obtained a special environmental sample from trench, and performed panoramic and 500 mm photography tasks. |
143:53:46 |
|
|
CSM Earthshine photography. |
144:10:32 |
|
|
Departed for station 6a. |
144:58:49 |
|
|
Arrived at station 6a. Gathered samples and performed panoramic photography tasks. |
145:01:11 |
|
|
Departed for station 7. |
145:22:40 |
|
|
Arrived at station 7. Gathered selected samples, a comprehensive soil sample, and performed panoramic photography. |
145:26:25 |
|
|
Departed for station 4. |
146:16:09 |
|
|
Arrived at station 4. Gathered samples and performed panoramic photography. |
146:28:59 |
|
|
CSM deep space measurements. |
146:30 |
|
|
Departed for LM. |
146:45:44 |
|
|
Arrived at LM. Offloaded samples and configured LRV for trip to station 8 (ALSEP site). |
147:08:09 |
|
|
Departed for station 8. |
147:19:33 |
|
|
CSM orbital science photography. |
147:20 |
|
|
Arrived at station 8. Gathered comprehensive geologic sample, gathered special environmental sample from trench, drilled second heat flow hole and emplaced probe, drilled deep core sample hole, and performed penetrometer experiments. |
147:21:15 |
|
|
Departed for LM. |
148:31:08 |
|
|
Arrived at LM. Deployed |
148:32:17 |
|
|
CSM zodiacal light photography. |
148:40 |
|
|
CSM orbital science photography. |
149:10 |
|
|
TV transmission ended for 2nd EVA. |
149:20 |
|
|
2nd EVA ended (cabin repressurized). |
149:27:02 |
|
|
3rd EVA started (LM cabin depressurized). |
163:18:14 |
|
|
TV transmission started for 3rd EVA. |
163:45 |
|
|
Departed for ALSEP site. |
164:04:13 |
|
|
Arrived at ALSEP site. Recovered deep core sample and photographed LRV operation. |
164: |
|
|
Departed for station 9. |
164:48:05 |
|
|
Arrived at station 9. Collected samples and performed panoramic photography tasks. |
165:01:22 |
|
|
CSM plane change ignition (SPS). |
165:11:32.74 |
|
|
CSM plane change cutoff. |
165:11:51.05 |
|
|
Departed for station 9a. |
165:16:50 |
|
|
Arrived at station 9a. Gathered extensive samples, obtained a double core tube and performed photographic tasks including 500 mm and stereoscopic panoramic photography. |
165:19:26 |
|
|
Departed for station 10. |
166:14:25 |
|
|
Arrived at station 10. Gathered samples and performed 500 mm and panoramic photography tasks. |
166:16:45 |
|
|
Departed for ALSEP site. |
166:28:49 |
|
|
Arrived at ALSEP site. Recovered drilled core sample and performed photographic tasks. |
166:43:40 |
|
|
Arrived at LM. EVA closeout procedures started. |
166:45:45 |
|
|
Solar wind composition experiment retrieved. |
167:10 |
|
|
Departed for final positioning of LRV to obtain television coverage of LM ascent. |
167:32:18 |
|
|
LRV parked in final position. |
167:35:24 |
|
|
3rd EVA ended (LM cabin repressurized). |
168:08:04 |
|
|
TV transmission ended for 3rd EVA. |
168:20 |
|
|
CSM Gegenschein photography. |
168:30 |
|
|
LM equipment jettisoned. |
169:00 |
|
|
CSM tracking of LM landing site. |
169:30 |
|
|
Surface television transmission started for lunar liftoff. |
171:30 |
|
|
LM lunar liftoff ignition (LM APS). |
171:37:23.2 |
|
|
Surface television transmission ended. |
171:40 |
|
|
Lunar ascent orbit cutoff. |
171:44:34.2 |
|
|
Terminal phase initiation ignition. |
172:29:40.0 |
|
|
Terminal phase initiation cutoff. |
172:29:42.6 |
|
|
TV transmission started. |
173:05 |
|
|
TV transmission ended. |
173:10 |
|
|
Terminal phase finalize. |
173:11:07 |
|
|
TV transmission started. |
173:35 |
|
|
CSM/LM docked. |
173:36:25.5 |
|
|
TV transmission ended. CDR and LMP prepared to transfer to CSM. |
173:40 |
|
|
Samples and equipment transferred to CSM. |
175:00 |
|
|
CDR and LMP entered CSM and hatch closed. |
176:40 |
|
|
LM ascent stage jettisoned. |
179:30:01.4 |
|
|
CSM separation maneuver from LM. |
179:50 |
|
|
LM ascent stage deorbit ignition. |
181:04:19.8 |
|
|
LM ascent stage fuel depletion. |
181:05:42.8 |
|
|
LM ascent stage impact on lunar surface. |
181:29:37.0 |
|
|
Deep space measurements and Gegenschein photography. |
195:45 |
|
|
Ultraviolet photography of lunar maria. |
196:35 |
|
|
Visual light flash phenomenon observations started. |
197:00 |
|
|
Visual observations from lunar orbit. |
197:20 |
|
|
Visual light flash phenomenon observations ended. |
198:00 |
|
|
Orbital science photography. |
198:35 |
|
|
Visual observations from lunar orbit. |
199:00 |
|
|
CSM lunar terminator photography. |
199:30 |
|
|
CSM lunar terminator photography. |
200:30 |
|
|
Orbital science photography. |
200:50 |
|
|
Ultraviolet photography of lunar surface. |
201:00 |
|
|
CSM lunar terminator photography. |
201:40 |
|
|
CSM boom photography. |
202:20 |
|
|
CSM lunar terminator photography. |
214:05 |
|
|
Orbital science photography. |
214:35 |
|
|
Deep space measurements. |
215:40 |
|
|
|
216:00 |
|
|
Orbital science photography. |
217:00 |
|
|
CSM lunar terminator photography. |
217:20 |
|
|
CSM lunar terminator photography. |
219:20 |
|
|
Orbit shaping maneuver ignition. |
221:20:48.02 |
|
|
Orbit shaping maneuver cutoff. |
221:20:51.44 |
|
|
Subsatellite deployed. |
222:39:29.1 |
|
|
Transearth injection ignition (SPS). |
223:48:45.84 |
|
|
Transearth injection cutoff. |
223:51:06.74 |
|
|
Moon and star field photography. |
224:20 |
|
|
|
239:05 |
|
|
Transearth EVA started (Worden). |
241:57:12 |
|
|
Transearth EVA - TV transmission started. |
242:00 |
|
|
Transearth EVA - TV and data acquisition cameras installed and adjusted. |
242:02 |
|
|
Transearth EVA - Camera cassette retrieved. |
242:22 |
|
|
Transearth EVA - TV transmission ended. |
242:28 |
|
|
Transearth EVA - Ingress and hatch closed. |
242:33 |
|
|
Transearth EVA ended. |
242:36:19 |
|
|
Visual light flash phenomenon observations started. |
264:35 |
|
|
Visual light flash phenomenon observations ended. |
265:35 |
|
|
Lunar eclipse photography. |
269:00 |
|
|
Sextant photography. |
270:00 |
|
|
Lunar eclipse photography. |
271:00 |
|
|
Contamination photography. |
271:50 |
|
|
Mass spectrometer boom retraction test. |
272:45 |
|
|
Midcourse correction ignition. |
291:56:49.91 |
|
|
Midcourse correction cutoff. |
291:57:12.21 |
|
|
CM/SM separation. |
294:43:55.2 |
|
|
Entry. |
294:58:54.7 |
|
|
Communication blackout ended. |
295:02:31 |
|
|
Radar contact with CM established by recovery ship. |
295:03 |
|
|
S-band contact with CM established by recovery aircraft. |
295:04 |
|
|
Forward heat shield jettisoned. |
295:06:45 |
|
|
Drogue parachute deployed. |
295:06:46 |
|
|
VHF recovery beacon contact with CM by recovery ship. Visual contact by recovery helicopters. |
295:07 |
|
|
Main parachute deployed. |
295:07:34 |
|
|
Voice contact with CM established. |
295:09 |
|
|
Splashdown (went to apex-up). |
295:11:53.0 |
|
|
Swimmers deployed to CM. |
295:18 |
|
|
Flotation collar installed and inflated on CM. |
295:26 |
|
|
Hatch opened for crew egress. |
295:37 |
|
|
Crew in egress raft. |
295:38 |
|
|
Crew aboard recovery helicopter. |
295:46 |
|
|
Crew aboard recovery ship. |
295:51 |
|
|
Communication blackout started. |
295:59:13 |
|
|
CM aboard recovery ship |
296:46 |
|
|
First sample flight departed recovery ship. |
301:56 |
|
|
First sample flight arrived
in |
303:46 |
|
|
First sample flight departed
|
304:30 |
|
|
First sample flight arrived
in |
311:59 |
|
|
Crew departed recovery ship. |
315:36 |
|
|
Crew arrived at Hickam AFB, |
316:12 |
|
|
CM arrived in |
316:26 |
|
|
Crew arrived at Ellington
AFB, |
324:45 |
|
|
CM departed |
340:26 |
|
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CM arrived at North Island Naval Air Station. |
467:26 |
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Pyrotechnic safing of CM completed. |
474:06 |
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Fuel portion of CM reaction control system deactivated. |
489:56 |
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Oxidizer portion of CM reaction control system deactivated. |
513:46 |
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CM departed |
516:46 |
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CM arrived at contractor’s facility. |
603:41 |
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ALSEP central station turned off by ground command. |
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