Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Email | TuneIn | RSS
Until now the astronauts knew, in the back of their minds, there was a possibility that a malfunction would turn this countdown into just another practice run and they would have to get out and try again another day. But, as the count reached T minus 15 minutes, there was no doubt, they were really going.
Command Module Main Control Panel
Launch of Apollo 8 with Crescent Moon
Apollo 8 Clears the Tower
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Email | TuneIn | RSS
For now the mighty Saturn V stood empty. But overnight, even while Borman’s crew slept, technicians would ready it for departure. By morning its enormous fuel thanks would be filled with cryogenic propellants, until the rocket would contain the explosive energy of an atomic bomb.
Lunar mission profile
Apollo 8 crew on the way to the pad 39A
Aerial view of Apollo 8
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Email | TuneIn | RSS
The successful Apollo 7 flight cleared the way for a US moon landing in 1969. Still a lot of flight and ground testing remained and there would probably be surprises. The greatest concern was Nasa had to complete three virtually flawless missions and achieve every major test objective before a lunar landing could be attempted. The odds seemed to be stack against NASA.
Apollo 8 Crew
Jim Lovell (Shaky)
The Lovell family watch launch of Apollo 8
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Email | TuneIn | RSS
As contractors worried about technical problems with the Atlas, Once again NASA, faced the necessity for a quick recovery plan when a target vehicle failed to reach orbit. You may recall the first time was with Gemini 6. But this time Nasa had something in the hangar, an alternate vehicle – the Augment Target Docking Adapter also known as the ATDA…
Angry Alligator
Stafford in Orbit
ATDA
