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As Apollo 8 drifted above the far side of the moon Borman, Lovell, and Anders observed a scene of total desolation. It appeared absent of color, except for various shades of gray. There was no atmosphere to soften the view, it was a scene of extreme clarity.
Far side of the Moon as seen from Apollo 8
Far side of the Moon from Apollo 8
Earthrise from Apollo 8
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Just a few minutes after Apollo 8’s second TV broadcast, Borman, Lovell, and Anders passed Earth’s gravitational hill top and crossed into the Moon’s gravitational sphere of influence.
Apollo 8 leaving the spent third stage
Apollo 8 Translunar Coast leaving Earth
Apollo 8 mission patch
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At T plus 40 seconds Apollo 8 went supersonic and the ride smoothed out. Now it was quite again, but Borman kept a watchful eye on the trajectory readouts. If there was a Saturn malfunction he could whisk the capsule away just by twisting the abort handle. This would trigger the escape rocket.
Apollo 8 Lunar Plan
Apollo 8 Staging
View from Apollo 8 in Earth orbit
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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
