Apollo 11’s flight path
Follow the journey that took humans to the lunar surface
Liftoff Date: 16 July 1969 Time: 13:32:00 (UTC)
1 The three-stage Saturn V rocket launched Apollo 11 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Initial parking orbit Date: 16 July 1969 Time: 13:43:49
2 The craft, still attached to the Saturn V’s third stage, orbited Earth while final checks were done.
Translunar injection Date: 16 July 1969 Time: 16:22:13
3 The third stage fired up again, putting Apollo 11 on a trajectory that would take it to the Moon.
Linkup with Lunar Module Date: 16 July 1969 Time: 16:56:03
4 The Command Module docked with the Lunar Module as the empty third stage was jettisoned.
Entering Lunar orbit Date: 19 July 1969 Time: 17:21:50
5 On arrival at the Moon, the Service Module engine fired up to put the spacecraft into orbit.
The landing Date: 20 July 1969 Time: 20:17:40
6 Armstrong and Aldrin descended to the surface in the Lunar Module before ascending to rejoin Collins.
Leaving lunar orbit Date: 21 July 1969 Time: 23:41:31
7 After the Lunar Module was jettisoned, the Service Module put Apollo on a trajectory home.
Splashdown Date: 24 July 1969 Time: 16:50:35
8 Finally the Service Module was discarded, leaving just the Command Module to splash down in the Pacific Ocean.
“Five per cent of Americans believe the Apollo Moon landings were faked”