Date of launch (ETR launch complex
#):
March 3, 1969 (39A)
Official mission designation:
AS-504
Spacecraft designation (name):
SM-104
CM-104 (Gumdrop)
LM-3 (Spider)
Launch vehicle designation
(class):
SA-504 (Saturn V)
Spacecraft weight (kg):
43 196
Spacecraft shape, dimensions
(m):
Command module:
truncated cone
length, 3.63
diameter of base, 3.9
Service module:
cylindrical with extended engine
nozzle
length, 6.88
diameter, 3.9
Lunar module, ascent stage:
roughly cylindrical with angular
faces
height, 3.75
diameter, 4.29
Lunar module, descent stage:
cruciform platform supported by 4
legs
height, 3.23
width from opposite legs, 9.45
Crew:
James A. McDivitt, Commander; David
R. Scott, CM pilot; Russell L. Schweikart, LM pilot
Backup crew:
Charles Conrad, Jr, Commander; Alan
L. Bean, CM pilot; Richard F. Gordon, LM pilot
Apogee/perigee at insertion
(km):
189.5 x 192.4
No. of earth orbits:
151
Period: approx.
90 min.
Length of mission:
241:00:54 (10+ days)
Mission events (date, time, ground
elapsed time):
.
launch
March 3
11:00:00 a.m. EST
00:00:00
S-IC engine cutoff
.
11:02:43
00:02:43
S-ll engine cutoff
11:08:56
00:08:56
earth orbit insertion
11:11:15
00:11:15
CSM/LM docking
2:01:59 p.m.
03:01:59
CSM-S-IVB separation
3:08:06
04:08:06
LM descent propulsion system
burn
March 5
12:41:35 p.m.
49:41:35
CSM-LM separation
March 7
8:02:54 a.m.
93:02:54
LM ascent propulsion system
burn
.
11:58:15
96:58:15
CSM-LM docking
2:02:26 p.m.
99:02:26
CM-SM separation
March 13
11:36:04 a.m.
240:36:04
splashdown
.
12:00:54 p.m.
241:00:54
EVA time:
00:37:00 (Schweickart)
Earth landing coordinates:
67°56'W, 23°15'N (Atlantic
O.)
Recovery ship:
USS Cuadalcanal (crew onboard in 49
min.)
Mission objectives:
Demonstrate crew-space
vehicle-mission support facilities performance during a
manned Saturn V mission with the CSM and LM in earth orbit;
demonstrate LMcrew performance; demonstrate performance of
nominal and selected backup lunar orbit rendezvous mission
activities; CSM-LM consulables assessment.
Results:
All objectives were achieved; first
active docking of the LM and CSM. The LM's ascent and
descent propulsion systems checked out satisfactorily.
Launch was originally set for Feb. 28, but all crew members
were suffering from a mild virus respiratory illness, and
the mission was rescheduled.
Reference: NASA Hq., "Apollo 9 Post-launch Mission Operation Report," M-932, 69-09, May 6,1969.