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National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationSaturn VLaunch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
Apollo 9
Launched
March 3, 1969
Summary
Apollo 9 launched on a National Aeronautics and Space Administration Saturn V from Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA on March 3, 1969. It was National Aeronautics and Space Administration's 98th launch, 1st this year and humanity's 942nd orbital launch attempt. It was the 4th Saturn V flight and the 1st this year. The payload was bound for low Earth orbit (LEO). Apollo 9 CSM, one of 4 catalogued objects, reached a 192 × 204 km orbit inclined 32.6°. 3 crew members flew: James McDivitt, David Scott and Rusty Schweickart. The spacecraft was LM Spider (LM-3). 4 objects from this launch are catalogued, 2 of them payloads.
- Watch
- 1969: Apollo 9 (NASA)International Astronautical Federation
- Apollo 9 launchEureka
- Launch of Apollo 9 (CBS)lunarmodule5
- Booster
- No booster details on record.
- Mission
- Human Exploration · Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
- Milestone
- 4th Saturn V flight · 1st this yearNational Aeronautics and Space Administration's 98th launch1st this yearhumanity's 942nd orbital launch attempt23rd orbital launch attempt this year
Crew
James McDivittCommander · NASA · age 39 · 2nd flight
David ScottCommand Module Pilot · NASA · age 36 · 2nd flight
Rusty SchweickartLunar Module Pilot · NASA · age 33 · first flight
Spacecraft
LM Spider (LM-3)
Flown on Apollo 9.
- Destination: Low Earth Orbit
- Mission length: 4 days 5 hours
- Docked March 7, 1969 at Apollo Command/Service Module
The ascent stage of LM-3 Spider (1969-018C) reentered on October 23, 1981. The descent stage of LM-3 Spider (1969-018D) reentered on March 22, 1969, landing in the Indian Ocean near North Africa.
Apollo Gumdrop CSM-104 (CSM-104)
CSM-104 "Gumdrop" was an Apollo Command & Service Module used in the Apollo 9 mission.
- Destination: Low Earth Orbit
- Mission length: 10 days
- Docked March 3, 1969 at Apollo Command/Service Module
The Apollo spacecraft successfully splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean.
Flight preview
Orbit: as tracked
Apollo 9 CSM · NORAD 3769 · 1969-018 · Space-Track · tracking 1 of 4 objects
Show the numbers for orbit elements
- Object
- TBA - TO BE ASSIGNED
- Object ID
- 1969-018A
- Epoch
- 1969-03-03 16:22:23 UTC
- Mean motion
- 16.30613074 rev/day
- Eccentricity
- 0.000957
- Inclination
- 32.5771°
- Ascending node
- 263.5747°
- Arg. of perigee
- 133.3457°
- Mean anomaly
- 358.2151°
- Element set
- 999
- Rev at epoch
- 0
- B*
- 0
Perigee, apogee and period are Kepler figures from the catalogued mean elements, not a propagated state. Published orbit: LEO. Ascent drawn from padside's representative profile.
Catalogued objects
4 catalogued: 2 payloads, 1 rocket stage, 1 component
- Apollo 9 CSM · NORAD 3769 · docked March 3, 1969
- Apollo 9 LM · NORAD 3771 · re-entered October 23, 1981
Saturn S-IVB-504N · left Earth orbit March 7, 1969
Data from J. McDowell, planet4589.org
About this launch
Apollo 9 was commanded by James McDivitt, Command Module Pilot Dave Scott and Lunar Module Pilot Rusty Schweickart. The mission tested the LM engines, backpack life support systems, navigation systems, and docking maneuvers.
Pad
Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
4th launch from Launch Complex 39A, 1st this year · 4th from Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
224 launches from this pad · 283 from Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
72 days after the previous launch from this pad
Questions
When did Apollo 9 launch?
Apollo 9 launched on March 3, 1969. The time is known to the hour, not the minute.
Where can I watch Apollo 9?
Coverage: 1969: Apollo 9 (NASA); Apollo 9 launch; Launch of Apollo 9 (CBS). Watch the replay
What rocket launched Apollo 9?
Saturn V, flown by National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Saturn V spec sheet
Where did Apollo 9 launch from?
Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA.
What orbit did Apollo 9 reach?
Apollo 9 CSM, one of 4 catalogued objects, reached a 192 × 204 km orbit inclined 32.6°.
How many satellites did Apollo 9 launch?
2 payloads from this launch are catalogued (Data from J. McDowell, planet4589.org).
Which program is Apollo 9 part of?
Apollo. About Apollo