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Spider's Maiden Voyage

IMAGE: Apollo 9 Crew

MissionApollo IX
CrewJames McDivitt
David Scott
Russell
Schweickart
Lift OffSaturn V
March 3, 1969
11:00 a.m. EST
KSC, Florida
Complex 39-A
Splash-
down
March 13, 1969
12:00 p.m. EST
Atlantic Ocean
Duration10 days, 1 hour

IMAGE: Apollo 30th anniversary

IMAGE: The Apollo 9 Mission

The Apollo 9 space vehicle was launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 11 a.m. EST on March 3, 1969.

The Apollo 9 was the first crewed flight of the Lunar Module and was conducted to qualify the module for lunar operations.

Approximately 70 hours into the 10-day mission in Earth orbit, the Lunar Module, Spider, separated, rendezvoused and docked with the Command Module.

As a result of unfavorable weather in the planned landing area, Apollo 9 completed an additional orbit before returning to Earth.

The Missions




Crew Patch
IMAGE: Apollo 9 crew patch
Related Links
*KSC Apollo 9 Site
*Apollo 9 Mission Gallery

Curator: Kim Dismukes | Responsible NASA Official: John Ira Petty | Updated: 11/16/2005
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