Apollo 16 Timeline
|
Event |
GET (hhh:mm:ss) |
GMT Time |
GMT Date |
|
Terminal countdown started. |
-028: |
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Scheduled 9-hour hold at T-9 hours. |
-009: |
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Countdown resumed at T-9 hours. |
-009: |
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Scheduled 1-hour hold at T-3 hours 30 minutes. |
-003:30:00 |
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Countdown resumed at T-3 hours 30 minutes. |
-003:30:00 |
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Guidance reference release. |
-000:00:16.963 |
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S-IC engine start command. |
-000:00:08.9 |
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S-IC engine ignition (#5). |
-000:00:06.7 |
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All S-IC engines thrust OK. |
-000:00:01.9 |
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Range zero. |
000:00:00.00 |
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All holddown arms released (1st motion) (1.08 g). |
000:00:00.3 |
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Liftoff (umbilical disconnected). |
000:00:00.59 |
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Tower clearance yaw maneuver started. |
000:00:01.7 |
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Yaw maneuver ended. |
000:00:10.9 |
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Pitch and roll maneuver started. |
000:00:12.7 |
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Roll maneuver ended. |
000:00:31.8 |
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Mach 1 achieved. |
000:01:07.5 |
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Maximum dynamic pressure (726.81 lb/ft2). |
000:01:26.0 |
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Maximum bending moment (71,000,000 lbf-in). |
000:01:26.5 |
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S-IC center engine cutoff command. |
000:02:17.85 |
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Pitch maneuver ended. |
000:02:38.9 |
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S-IC outboard engine cutoff. Maximum total inertial acceleration (3.82 g). |
000:02:41.78 |
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S-IC maximum Earth-fixed velocity. |
000:02:42.5 |
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S-IC/S-II separation command. |
000:02:43.5 |
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S-II engine start command. |
000:02:44.2 |
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S-II ignition. |
000:02:45.2 |
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S-II aft interstage jettisoned. |
000:03:13.5 |
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Launch escape tower jettisoned. |
000:03:19.8 |
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Iterative guidance mode initiated. |
000:03:24.5 |
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S-IC apex. |
000:04:30.973 |
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S-II center engine cutoff. S-II maximum total inertial acceleration (1.74 g). |
000:07:41.77 |
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S-IC impact (theoretical). |
000:09:07.136 |
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S-II outboard engine cutoff. |
000:09:19.54 |
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S-II maximum Earth-fixed velocity. |
000:09:20.0 |
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S-II/S-IVB separation command. |
000:09:20.5 |
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S-IVB 1st burn start command. |
000:09:20.60 |
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S-IVB 1st burn ignition. |
000:09:23.60 |
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S-IVB ullage case jettisoned. |
000:09:32.3 |
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S-II apex. |
000:09:44.122 |
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S-IVB 1st burn cutoff and maximum total inertial acceleration (0.67 g). |
000:11:46.21 |
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Earth orbit insertion. S-IVB 1st burn maximum Earth-fixed velocity. |
000:11:56.21 |
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Maneuver to local horizontal attitude started. |
000:12:07.8 |
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Orbital navigation started. |
000:13:26.1 |
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S-II impact (theoretical). |
000:20:02.390 |
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S-IVB 2nd burn restart preparation. |
002:23:58.60 |
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S-IVB 2nd burn restart command. |
002:33:28.50 |
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S-IVB 2nd burn ignition. |
002:33:36.50 |
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S-IVB 2nd burn cutoff and maximum total inertial acceleration (1.42 g). |
002:39:18.42 |
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S-IVB safing procedures started. |
002:39:19.1 |
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S-IVB 2nd burn maximum Earth-fixed velocity. |
002:39:20.0 |
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Translunar injection. |
002:39:28.42 |
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Maneuver to local horizontal attitude and orbital navigation started. |
002:41:50.3 |
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Maneuver to transposition and docking attitude started. |
002:54:19.3 |
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CSM separated from S-IVB. |
003:04:59.0 |
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TV transmission started. |
003:10 |
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CSM docked with LM/S-IVB. |
003:21:53.4 |
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TV transmission ended. |
003:28 |
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CSM/LM ejected from S-IVB. |
003:59:15.1 |
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TV transmission started. |
004:10 |
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S-IVB yaw maneuver to attain attitude for evasive maneuver. |
004: |
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S-IVB APS evasive maneuver ignition. |
004:18:08.3 |
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S-IVB APS evasive maneuver cutoff. |
004:19:28.5 |
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TV transmission ended. |
004:20 |
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Maneuver to S-IVB LOX dump attitude initiated. |
004:27:48.4 |
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Alternate (second) maneuver to LOX dump attitude. |
004:31:09 |
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S-IVB lunar impact maneuver - CVS vent opened. |
004:34:47.1 |
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S-IVB lunar impact maneuver - LOX dump started. |
004:39:27.1 |
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S-IVB lunar impact maneuver - CVS vent closed. |
004:39:47.1 |
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S-IVB lunar impact maneuver - LOX dump ended. |
004:40:15.1 |
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Maneuver to attitude required for final S-IVB APS burn initiated. |
005:30:37.2 |
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S-IVB lunar impact maneuver - APS ignition. |
005:40:07.2 |
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S-IVB lunar impact maneuver - APS cutoff. |
005:41:01.4 |
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S-IVB lunar impact maneuver - 3-axis tumble command initiated. |
005:55:06.2 |
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Command to inhibit instrument unit flight control computer to leave S-IVB in 3-axis tumble mode. |
005:55:37 |
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Crew reported stream of particles coming from LM. |
007:18 |
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Unscheduled crew transfer to LM for system checks. |
008:17 |
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TV transmission to give Mission Control a view of the particle emissions started. |
008:45 |
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LM powered down. |
008:52 |
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TV transmission ended. |
009:06 |
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Electrophoresis demonstration started. |
025:05 |
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Electrophoresis demonstration ended. |
025:50 |
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Loss of S-IVB tracking data precluded exact determination of impact time and location within mission objectives. |
027:09:59 |
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Midcourse correction ignition (SPS). |
030:39:00.66 |
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Midcourse correction cutoff. |
030:39:02.67 |
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LM pressurized. |
032:30 |
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CDR and LMP entered LM for housekeeping and communication checkout. |
033:00 |
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CDR and LMP entered CM. |
035:00 |
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False gimbal lock indication. |
038:18:56 |
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Visual light flash phenomenon observations started. |
049:10 |
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Visual light flash phenomenon observations ended. |
050:16 |
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CDR and LMP entered LM for housekeeping. |
053:30 |
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CDR and LMP entered CM. |
055:11 |
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Skylab food test. |
056:30 |
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Equigravisphere. |
059:19:45 |
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Scientific instrument module door jettisoned. |
069:59:01 |
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Lunar orbit insertion ignition (SPS). |
074:28:27.87 |
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Lunar orbit insertion cutoff. |
074:34:42.77 |
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S-IVB impact on lunar surface. |
075:08:04 |
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Descent orbit insertion ignition (SPS). |
078:33:45.04 |
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Descent orbit insertion cutoff. |
078:34:09.39 |
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CSM landmark tracking. |
079:30 |
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Solar monitor door/tie-down release. |
080:10 |
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CDR and LMP entered LM. |
092:50 |
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LM activation and system checks. |
093:34 |
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Terminator photography. |
094:40 |
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LM undocking and separation. |
096:13:31 |
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CSM landmark tracking. |
096:40 |
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CSM checkout indicated no rate feedback and SPS engine gimbal Position indicator showed yaw oscillations. Planned circularization maneuver at 097:41:44 not performed. |
097:40 |
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Rendezvous (CSM active). |
100:00 |
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LM separation from CSM. |
102:30:00 |
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CSM and LM platforms realigned. |
102:40 |
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CSM orbit circularization ignition (SPS). |
103:21:43.08 |
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CSM orbit circularization cutoff. |
103:21:47.74 |
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|
LM powered descent engine ignition (LM DPS). |
104:17:25 |
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LM throttle to full-throttle position. |
104:17:53 |
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LM manual target (landing site) update. |
104:19:16 |
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CSM landmark tracking. |
104:20 |
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LM landing radar velocity data good. |
104:20:38 |
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LM landing radar range data good. |
104:21:24 |
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LM landing radar updates enabled. |
104:21:54 |
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LM landing point redesignation phase entered. |
104:24:14 |
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LM throttle down. |
104:24:54 |
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LM landing radar antenna to position 2. |
104:26:50 |
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LM approach phase program selected and pitchover. |
104:26:52 |
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LM 1st landing point redesignation. |
104:27:20 |
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LM landing radar switched to low scale. |
104:27:32 |
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LM attitude hold mode selected. |
104:28:37 |
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LM landing phase program selected. |
104:28:42 |
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LM lunar landing. |
104:29:35 |
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LM powered descent engine cutoff. |
104:29:36 |
02:23:36 |
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|
118:06:31 |
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CSM terminator photography. |
118:20 |
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1st EVA started (LM cabin depressurized). |
118:53:38 |
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Lunar roving vehicle (LRV) offloaded. |
119:25:29 |
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LRV deployed. |
119:32:44 |
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Far ultraviolet camera/spectroscope deployed. |
119:54:01 |
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TV transmission started for 1st EVA. |
120:05:40 |
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|
120:15 |
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Apollo lunar surface experiments package (ALSEP) offloaded. |
120:21:35 |
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CSM terminator photography. |
120:30 |
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CSM Gum nebula photography. |
121:20 |
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ALSEP deployed, deep core sample gathered, and LRV configured for traverse. |
122:55:23 |
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Departed for station 1. |
122:58:02 |
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CSM zodiacal photography. |
123:00 |
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CDR reported bright flash on lunar surface. |
123:09:40 |
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Arrived at station 1. Performed radial sampling, gathered rake and documented samples, and performed panoramic and stereographic photography. |
123:23:54 |
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Departed for station 2. |
124:14:32 |
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Arrived at station 2. Performed a lunar portable magnetometer measurement, gathered samples and performed panoramic and 500 mm photography. |
124:21:10 |
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Departed for ALSEP site (station 3/10). |
124:48:07 |
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Arrived at station 3/10. Performed “grand prix” with LRV, retrieved core sample, armed the active seismic experiment mortar package, and departed for LM. |
124:54:14 |
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Arrived at LM. Deployed solar wind composition experiment, gathered samples, performed photography, and started EVA closeout. |
125:05:09 |
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Solar wind composition experiment deployed. |
125: |
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TV transmission ended for 1st EVA. |
125:35 |
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1st EVA ended (LM cabin repressurized). |
126:04:40 |
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CSM ultraviolet photography. |
126:20 |
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CSM Gegenschein calibration. |
127:00 |
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CSM orbital science visual observations. |
128:00 |
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LM crew debriefing. |
128:20 |
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CSM terminator photography. |
128:30 |
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CSM orbital science visual observations. |
129:25 |
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CSM orbital science photography. |
130:00 |
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CSM terminator photography. |
131:20 |
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CSM Gegenschein photography. |
142:30 |
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2nd EVA started (LM cabin depressurized). |
142:39:35 |
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LRV prepared for traverse. |
142:49:29 |
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TV transmission started for 2nd EVA. |
142:55 |
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Departed for station 4. |
143:31:40 |
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Arrived at station 4. Performed penetrometer measurements, gathered samples, obtained a double core tube sample, gathered a soil trench sample, and performed 500 mm and panoramic photography. |
144:07:26 |
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CSM deep space measurement. |
144:45 |
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Departed for station 5. |
145:05:16 |
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Arrived at station 5. Gathered samples, performed lunar portable magnetometer measurement, and performed panoramic photography. |
145:10:05 |
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CSM orbital science photography. |
145:35 |
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Departed for station 6. |
145:58:40 |
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CSM orbital science visual observations. |
146:05 |
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Arrived at station 6. Gathered samples and performed panoramic photography. |
146:06:37 |
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Departed for station 8 (station 7 deleted). |
146:29:18 |
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Arrived at station 8. Gathered samples, obtained a double core tube sample, and performed panoramic photography. |
146:40:19 |
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CSM terminator photography. |
147:15 |
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Departed for station 9. |
147:48:15 |
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Arrived at station 9. Gathered samples, obtained single core tube sample, and performed panoramic photography. |
147:53:12 |
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Departed for station 10. |
148:29:45 |
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Arrived at station 10. Gathered samples, performed penetrometer measurements, obtained a double core tube sample, and performed panoramic photography. |
148:54:16 |
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CSM solar corona photography. |
149:05 |
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Departed for LM. |
149:21:17 |
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Arrived at LM and started EVA activity closeout. |
149:23:24 |
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TV transmission ended for 2nd EVA. |
149:40 |
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2nd EVA ended (LM cabin repressurized). |
150:02:44 |
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CSM photography of mass spectrometer boom. |
153:05 |
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CSM orbital science visual observations. |
153:40 |
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CSM terminator photography. |
154:20 |
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CSM orbital science photography. |
155:05 |
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CSM bistatic radar test started. |
155:20 |
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CSM bistatic radar test ended. |
156:00 |
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CSM mass spectrometer retraction test started. |
165:30 |
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3rd EVA started (LM cabin depressurized). |
165:31:28 |
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TV transmission started for 3rd EVA. |
165:40 |
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LRV prepared for traverse. |
165:43:29 |
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CSM mass spectrometer retraction test ended. |
166:00 |
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Departed for station 11. |
166:09:13 |
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Arrived at station 11. Gathered samples, performed 500 mm and panoramic photography. |
166:44:50 |
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CSM solar camera photography. |
166:50 |
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CSM orbital science visual observations. |
167:50 |
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Departed for station 13. |
168:09:46 |
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Arrived at station 13. Gathered samples, performed lunar portable magnetometer measurement and performed panoramic photography. |
168:17:39 |
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Departed for station 10 prime. |
168:46:33 |
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CSM plane change ignition (SPS). |
169:05:52.14 |
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CSM plane change cutoff. |
169:05:59.28 |
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Arrived at station 10 prime. Gathered samples, obtained a double core tube sample, and performed 500 mm and panoramic photography. |
169:15:38 |
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LRV driven to LM. Samples gathered. EVA closeout started. |
169:51:48 |
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Solar wind composition experiment retrieved. |
170: |
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Departed for LRV final parking area. |
170:23:06 |
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Arrived at final parking area. Performed two lunar portable magnetometer measurements, gathered samples and continued EVA closeout. |
170:27:09 |
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CSM Gegenschein photography. |
171:00 |
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Film from far ultraviolet camera/spectroscope retrieved. |
171:01:42 |
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TV transmission ended for 3rd EVA. CSM deep space measurement. |
171:10 |
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3rd EVA ended (LM cabin repressurized). |
171:11:31 |
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LM equipment jettisoned. |
172:15 |
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TV transmission started. |
175:15 |
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LM lunar liftoff ignition (LM APS). |
175:31:47.9 |
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Lunar ascent orbit cutoff. |
175:38:55.7 |
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TV transmission ended. |
175:40 |
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Vernier adjustment. |
175:42:18 |
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TV transmission started. |
176:18 |
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TV transmission ended. |
176:25 |
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Terminal phase initiation ignition (LM APS). |
176:26:05 |
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Terminal phase initiation cutoff. |
176:26:07.5 |
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LM 1st midcourse correction. |
176:35 |
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LM 2nd midcourse correction. |
176:50 |
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Terminal phase finalize. |
177:08:42 |
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CSM/LM docked. |
177:41:18 |
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Transfer and stowing of equipment and samples started. |
178:15 |
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Mass spectrometer deployed. |
178:40 |
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Transfer and stowing of equipment and samples ended. |
180:00 |
|
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Transfer of items to LM ascent stage started. |
192:00 |
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Transfer of items to LM ascent stage ended. LM ascent stage activated. |
192:30 |
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Maneuver to LM jettison attitude. |
192:55 |
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Hatch closeout. |
194:30 |
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LM prepared for jettison. |
194:35 |
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LM ascent stage jettisoned. |
195:00:12 |
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CSM separation maneuver. |
195:03:13 |
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Mass spectrometer boom jettisoned. |
195:23:12 |
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Subsatellite deployed. |
196:02:09 |
|
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|
196:40 |
|
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Transearth injection ignition (SPS). |
200:21:33.07 |
|
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Transearth injection cutoff. |
200:24:15.36 |
|
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|
X-ray spectrometer - Scorpius X-1 observation started. |
201:31 |
|
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|
X-ray spectrometer - Scorpius X-1 observation ended. |
202:11 |
|
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|
202:18:12 |
|
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|
TV transmission from CM started. |
202:57 |
|
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|
TV transmission from CM ended. |
203:12 |
|
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|
TV transmission from lunar surface (LRV camera) started. |
203:29 |
|
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TV transmission from lunar surface ended. |
204:12 |
|
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Midcourse correction ignition. |
214:35:02.8 |
|
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|
Midcourse correction cutoff. |
214:35:25.4 |
|
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|
Transearth EVA started (Mattingly). |
218:39:46 |
|
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TV transmission started for transearth EVA. |
218:40 |
|
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|
Installation of television camera and data acquisition cameras started. |
218:50 |
|
|
|
Camera cassette retrieval and scientific instrument module inspection. |
219:10 |
|
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|
Microbial response in space environment experiment. |
219:30 |
|
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|
TV transmission ended for transearth EVA. |
219:49 |
|
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|
Ingress and hatch closing started. |
219:50 |
|
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|
Transearth EVA ended. |
220:03:28 |
|
|
|
X-ray spectrometer - Cygnus X-1 observation started. |
221:01 |
|
|
|
X-ray spectrometer - Cygnus X-1 observation ended. |
224:01 |
|
|
|
X-ray spectrometer - Scorpius X-1 observation started. |
224:21 |
|
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|
Contamination control. |
226:10 |
|
|
|
Apollo 15 subsatellite reactivated. |
226:50 |
|
|
|
X-ray spectrometer - Scorpius X-1 observation ended. |
226:51 |
|
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|
Visual light flash phenomenon observations started. |
238:00 |
|
|
|
Visual light flash phenomenon observations ended. |
239:00 |
|
|
|
X-ray spectrometer - Scorpius X-1 observation started. |
242:21 |
|
|
|
Televised press conference started. |
243:35 |
|
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|
Televised press conference ended. |
243:53 |
|
|
|
Jet firing test. |
245:00 |
|
|
|
Skylab contamination photography started. |
245:30 |
|
|
|
X-ray spectrometer - Scorpius X-1 observation ended. |
245:51 |
|
|
|
Skylab contamination photography ended. |
247:00 |
|
|
|
X-ray spectrometer - Cygnus X-1 observation started. |
248:51 |
|
|
|
X-ray spectrometer - Cygnus X-1 observation ended. |
251:51 |
|
|
|
Midcourse correction ignition. |
262:37:20.7 |
|
|
|
Midcourse correction cutoff. |
262:37:27.1 |
|
|
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Earth ultraviolet photography. |
263:00 |
|
|
|
CM/SM separation. |
265:22:23 |
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Entry. |
265:37:31 |
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Communication blackout started. |
265:37:47 |
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|
|
Radar contact with CM by recovery ship. |
265:40 |
|
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|
Communication blackout ended. |
265:41:01 |
|
|
|
Visual contact with CM established by recovery forces. |
265:45 |
|
|
|
Forward heat shield jettisoned. |
265:45:25 |
|
|
|
Drogue parachute deployed |
265:45:26 |
|
|
|
VHF recovery beacon contact with CM established by recovery ship. |
265:46 |
|
|
|
Main parachute deployed. |
265:46:16 |
|
|
|
Voice contact with CM established. |
265:47 |
|
|
|
Splashdown (went to apex-down). |
265:51:05 |
|
|
|
CM returned to apex-up position. |
265:55:30 |
|
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|
Swimmers deployed to CM. |
265:56 |
|
|
|
Flotation collar inflated. |
266:06 |
|
|
|
Hatch opened for crew egress. |
266:10 |
|
|
|
Crew aboard recovery helicopter. |
266:22 |
|
|
|
Crew aboard recovery ship. |
266:28 |
|
|
|
CM aboard recovery ship. |
267:30 |
|
|
|
1st sample flight departed recovery ship. |
305:51 |
|
|
|
1st sample flight arrived in |
308:20 |
|
|
|
1st sample flight departed |
309:09 |
|
|
|
Crew departed recovery ship. |
311:36 |
|
|
|
Crew arrived in at Hickam AFB, |
313:27 |
|
|
|
Crew departed Hickam AFB. |
314:13 |
|
|
|
1st sample flight arrived in |
316:38 |
|
|
|
CM arrived in |
321:36 |
|
|
|
Crew arrived at Ellington AFB, Houston. |
321:46 |
|
|
|
CM departed |
360:06 |
|
01 May 1972 |
|
CM arrived at North Island Naval Air Station, |
462:06 |
|
06 May 1972 |
|
Explosive failure of ground support equipment decontamination unit tank during deactivation of nitrogen tetroxide portion of CM RCS. |
|
|
07 May 1972 |
|
CM deactivated. |
606:06 |
|
11 May 1972 |
|
CM departed North Island Naval Air Station for
contractor’s facility in |
609:06 |
|
12 May 1972 |
|
CM arrived at contractor's facility. |
616:36 |
|
12 May 1972 |
|
Final telemetry from subsatellite (just before lunar surface impact). |
1,034:37 |
|
29 May 1972 |
|
ALSEP central station turned off by ground command. |
|
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